Source: http://catholic-thoughts.info/catholic_life/Holy%20See%20Response%20to%20The%20Cloyne%20Report%202011%20(Ireland).html
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Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 3', '§ 4', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 1', 'art. 17', '§1', '§1']

Summary of Vatican Response to C
Vatican Response to Cloyne Report
VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 5, 2011 - Here is the summary of the response of the Holy See to the July Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Diocese of Cloyne Ireland.
VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 5, 2011 - Here is the response of the Holy See to the Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Diocese of Cloyne Ireland, which was published in July.
Having carefully examined the content of the Cloyne Report, the Holy See concludes that the criticisms and accusations made against it are based primarily on the Report's assessment of the letter addressed to the members of the Irish Bishops' Conference on 31 January 1997 by the then Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Luciano Storero, concerning the response of the Congregation for the Clergy to the 1996 document entitled Child Sexual Abuse: Framework for a Church Response, generally known as the Framework Document. This letter is quoted extensively in the earlier Dublin Report (7.13-7.14) and was the object of considerable public attention in January 2011. The Holy See acknowledges, moreover, that, taken out of context, the letter could be open to misinterpretation, giving rise to understandable criticism. In what follows, an explanation of that context is offered, including, crucially, explanation of the knowledge that the letter presupposes of the workings of the Church and the relationship between episcopal conferences and the Holy See.
The Cloyne Report quotes the text of Archbishop Storero's letter and offers an assessment. In chapter 1 the Report quotes excerpts from the letter to the effect that the Congregation for the Clergy informed the Bishops that the document in question was "not an official document of the Episcopal Conference but merely a study document" and that it contained "procedures and dispositions which appear contrary to canonical discipline and which, if applied, could invalidate the acts of the same Bishops who are attempting to put a stop to these problems. If such procedures were to be followed by the Bishops and there were cases of eventual hierarchical recourse lodged at the Holy See, the results could be highly embarrassing and detrimental to those same Diocesan authorities. In particular, the situation of ‘mandatory reporting' gives rise to serious reservations of both a moral and canonical nature" (1.18).
The Commission states its view that "This effectively gave individual Irish bishops the freedom to ignore the procedures which they had agreed and gave comfort and support to those who, like Monsignor O'Callaghan, dissented from the stated official Church policy" (1.18). In the conclusion to the same chapter, the Cloyne Reportstates: "Those who thought like Monsignor O'Callaghan had their positions greatly strengthened by the Vatican's response to theFramework Document. This response, discussed in chapter 4, can only be described as unsupportive especially in relation to reporting to the civil authorities. The effect was to strengthen the position of those who dissented from the official stated Irish Church policy" (1.76).
In chapter 4, the Cloyne Report states that "The Irish bishops sought recognition from Rome for the Framework Document but it was not forthcoming" (4.21). It then quotes in full Archbishop Storero's letter to the Irish Bishops. The Cloyne Report does not present a detailed discussion of this letter, or of the Holy See's response, but simply asserts that "There can be no doubt that this letter greatly strengthened the position of those in the Church in Ireland who did not approve of the Framework Document as it effectively cautioned them against its implementation." (4.22). The same assessment is repeated towards the end of the chapter: "The fact that the Papal Nuncio wrote to the bishops expressing the Congregation for the Clergy's reservations about the Framework Document was significant. This gave comfort to those, including Monsignor O'Callaghan, who fundamentally disagreed with the policies in the document" (4.91).
The Cloyne Report, however, provides no evidence in support of the Commission's assessment and, in fact, never claims that such was the Holy See's intention. Its view, however, may be based on the explanation that was published in the Dublin Report. (Cf. Dublin Report, 7.14). This Response will offer clarifications to show that the Commission's assessment is inaccurate.
Before addressing the issues raised in connection with Archbishop Storero's letter, it should also be noted that there is no suggestion in the Cloyne Report that the Cloyne diocesan authorities invoked the content of that letter to justify ignoring the Framework Document guidelines. In fact, according to Cloyne Report, Bishop John Magee declares that he accepted and sought to implement the guidelines (1.16, 1.19, 4.17-4.20), while Monsignor Denis O'Callaghan made no secret of his disapproval of them (1.17, 1.20), preferring instead to implement what he described as a "pastoral approach" (4.78-4.80). However, the Cloyne Report provides no evidence that he invoked the Congregation's response in support of his views.
On the basis of the findings of the Cloyne Report, it would appear that Monsignor O'Callaghan, failed to apply not only the Framework Document, but also the existing norms of canon law (particularly canons 1717-1719),[2] despite their universal applicability and despite the Congregation's observation that the procedures established by the Code of Canon Law were to be observed. The Cloyne Report states that the Diocese did not carry out proper canonical investigations; in the five cases where an investigation was ordered under canon 1717, the investigation was commenced but never completed (1.49-1.50).
When a number of high-profile cases of child sexual abuse perpetrated by clerics came to light in Ireland during the 1990s, the Irish Bishops' Conference established an Advisory Committee in 1994 to discuss how such cases should be handled and to formulate guidelines in that regard. The Chairman of the Advisory Committee, Bishop Laurence Forristal, explained the brief of that Committee in the following way: "Our immediate brief is to provide co-ordinated, orderly advice to bishops and religious superiors on how to deal with allegations of child sexual abuse and also to provide ongoing advice. What many people perhaps don't realise is that each diocese is an independent unit, and forms its own policies. The idea behind the committee was to avail of the advice of experts and to formulate guidelines that would allow a more uniform approach" (The Irish Times, 15 October 1994, p. 3).
While these guidelines were being developed, the Conference engaged in a process of consultation with the Congregation for the Clergy regarding the content of the document so as to ensure its effective application. In the light of these consultations, various amendments were made to the text. It was the Conference's right to consult and, given the Holy See's responsibility for the laws of the Church which apply universally, it was certainly appropriate for the Congregation to offer its advice and considered opinion on the content of the document.
The text in question was published as the Framework Document, the subtitle of which describes it as a "report" of the Advisory Committee. In fact, it is, as Cardinal Daly and Archbishop Connell had earlier explained, not an official document of the Irish Bishops' Conference but a document of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Advisory Committee on Child Sexual Abuse by Priests and Religious, which holds the copyright. In the Foreword, signed by Cardinal Daly and by the Reverend John Byrne OSA, then President of the Conference of Religious of Ireland, the text is continuously referred to as a "report" and is recommended "to individual dioceses and congregations as a framework for addressing the issue of child sexual abuse" (p. [9]). The authors of the Foreword also state: "This document is far from being the final word on how to address the issues which have been raised. In common with others in society the Church must continuously seek ways to improve its response to this grave wrong, the sexual abuse of children" (p. [10]).
Subsequently, in a letter addressed to Archbishop Storero on 10 October 1996, the then Secretary of the Irish Bishops' Conference, Bishop Michael Smith, in reference to the Framework Document confirmed that "The document was not promulgated by decree of the Episcopal Conference nor was it approved by the Conference. It was accepted by the Conference and offered to each individual Bishop and religious Superior as guidelines that could – and indeed should – be followed in dealing with allegations of child sexual abuse against priests and religious". As the Cloyne Report acknowledges, "The understanding was that each diocese or religious institute would enact its own particular protocol for dealing with complaints" (4.16).
The Congregation's description of the Framework Document as a "study document", which was based on the explanations of its nature as provided by the Irish Bishops and in the published text itself, was not a dismissal of the serious efforts undertaken by the Irish Bishops to address the grave problem of child sexual abuse. The Congregation, taking cognizance of the Bishops' intention not to make the document binding, while at the same time aware that each individual Bishop intended to adopt it for his Diocese to deal with cases as they arose, wished to ensure that nothing contained in it would give rise to difficulties should appeals be lodged to the Holy See.
The relevant norm is canon 455 of the Code of Canon Law which states: "§ 1. The Bishops' Conference can make general decrees only in cases where the universal law has so prescribed, or by special mandate of the Apostolic See, either on its own initiative or at the request of the Conference itself. § 2. For the decrees mentioned in § 1 validly to be enacted at a plenary meeting, they must receive at least two-thirds of the votes of those who belong to the Conference with a deliberative vote. Those decrees do not oblige until they have been reviewed by the Apostolic See(nisi ab Apostolica Sede recognita)and lawfully promulgated. § 3 The manner of promulgation and the time they come into force are determined by the Bishops' Conference. § 4. In cases where neither the universal law nor a special mandate of the Apostolic See gives the Bishops' Conference the power mentioned in § 1, the competence of each diocesan Bishop remains intact. In such cases, neither the Conference nor its president can act in the name of all the Bishops unless each and every Bishop has given his consent."
While the Irish Bishops did engage in consultations with the Congregation for the Clergy about the contents of the Framework Document, the Irish Bishops' Conference did not take the canonical vote required by canon 455 § 2 and never sought the recognitio of the Holy See for it. While the Congregation for the Clergy may contribute to the discussion leading to the formulation of complementary legislation, it is the Congregation for Bishops which is the competent dicastery for granting the recognitio to general decrees of the Episcopal Conferences in its territory. Since the Irish Bishops did not choose to seek recognitio for the Framework Document, the Holy See cannot be criticized for failing to grant what was never requested in the first place.
With regard to canon law, it states: "In responding to complaints of child sexual abuse, Church authorities must also act in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Canon Law and must respect the rights and uphold the safeguards afforded in that Code both to those who complain of abuse and to those who are accused. The Church has its own inherent right to constrain with penal sanctions its members, including priests and religious, who commit offences. These penal sanctions are clearly indicated in the Code of Canon Law (cf. c. 1311ff)" (pp. [14]-[15]).
While the Framework Document does recognize the need for compatibility with canon law, the Congregation for the Clergy – as Archbishop Storero's letter explains – noted that the definitive text of the Framework Document contained procedures and dispositions which appeared contrary to canonical discipline. In pointing this out, the Congregation did not reject the Framework Document. Rather, it offered advice to the Bishops with a view to ensuring that the measures which they intended to apply would prove effective and unproblematic from a canonical perspective. For this reason, the Congregation drew attention to the requirement that these measures should be in harmony with canonical procedures in order to avoid conflicts that could give rise to successful appeals in Church tribunals. The Holy See, in recognising the great difficulties and complexities faced by the Bishops in confronting the disciplinary aspects of child sexual abuse, wanted to ensure that the application of the measures contained in the Framework Document would not undermine the Bishops' efforts to discipline those guilty of child sexual abuse in the Church. As has been explained above (part b), the question of recognitio did not arise, nor was it necessary, given that all the Bishops and Religious Superiors in Ireland had agreed to accept and apply the guidelines of the Framework Document. The lack of recognitio did not in any way undermine the application of the Framework Document, especially in the context of the Holy See's decision in 1996 to extend to Ireland special provisions already granted to the Bishops of the United States in 1994. (This matter will be presented in detail in Part Six of this Response).
Thus, the Congregation's response of January 1997 to the Framework Documentwas intended as an invitation to the Bishops to re-examine the document carefully, bearing in mind as well that certain difficulties might come to light only in the course of its concrete application.
With regard to civil law, the Framework Document correctly states that "A Church response to child sexual abuse by priests and religious must accord with the legal framework in society for the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences and for ensuring the protection and welfare of children. It is vital that Church authorities, and in particular those responsible for implementing procedures in dioceses and institutes of consecrated life or societies of apostolic life, act in a spirit of co-operation with the civil authorities in their local area" (p. [14]).
The question of cooperation with the civil authorities was clarified bythe then Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos,in his meeting with the Irish Bishops at Rosses Point, County Sligo (Ireland), on 12 November 1998, when he unequivocally stated: "I also wish to say with great clarity that the Church, especially through its Pastors (Bishops), should not in any way put an obstacle in the legitimate path of civil justice, when such is initiated by those who have such rights, while at the same time, she should move forward with her own canonical procedures, in truth, justice and charity towards all." In this way, the Cardinal drew attention to the fact that canon law and civil law, while being two distinct systems, with distinct areas of application and competence, are not in competition and can operate in parallel. This basic principle has been repeated on several occasions in the Holy See's subsequent interventions on this matter, including the Pope's Letter to the Catholics of Ireland(No. 11) and the Circular Letter issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on 3 May 2011, which, in addition, explicitly addresses the question of reporting requirements (see below).
On 6 November 1996, Mr Currie stated in Dáil Éireannthat over two hundred submissions from groups and individuals had been received in response to Putting Children First, that the submissions reflected a wide diversity of views on mandatory reporting and that the majority expressed reservations or opposition to mandatory reporting. Following these consultations, which, among other things, drew attention to various complex issues relating to the advisability and feasibility of mandatory reporting (including use of resources, professional judgment, the types of abuse that should be subject to mandatory reporting and who should become mandated reporters), the Irish Government decided not to introduce it in a formal way but instead to issue guidelines for the reporting of suspected child abuse by professionals and non-professionals, postponing any further consideration of mandatory reporting for three years. Given that the Irish Government of the day decided not to legislate on the matter, it is difficult to see how Archbishop Storero's letter to the Irish Bishops, which was issued subsequently, could possibly be construed as having somehow subverted Irish law or undermined the Irish State in its efforts to deal with the problem in question.
The Holy See notes that in a statement in Dáil Éireann on 25 March 1997, the then Minister for Health, Mr Michael Noonan, explained why the Government of the day had decided not to introduce mandatory reporting. He recognized that all who participated in the relevant consultative process, including those who expressed reservations or were opposed to mandatory reporting, had the "best interests of children" as their "paramount concern". Explaining the Government's decision he stated: "However, it was suggested in a number of submissions that sight should not be lost of a person's right to his or her good name in dealing with the reporting of child abuse and the Minister of State was conscious of the need to maintain an appropriate balance in developing the initiatives outlined." Thus, the reservations expressed by the Congregation for the Clergy about mandatory reporting were in line with those expressed at the time by various professional groups and individuals in Ireland, including members of the Irish Government.
It should also be noted that in reply to a question posed by Deputy Liz O'Donnell, Mr Noonan added: "The Minister of State has proceeded to strengthen the framework and he has also talked about establishing a body, such as an ombudsman for children, to further strengthen the position, but he stopped short of introducing mandatory reporting at this time. That was a consensus view of those involved in the day to day care of children. That decision was not made in the interest of the professions, it was made in the interest of the protection of children. The Deputy is aware there is major potential downside to mandatory reporting, as experienced in the United States. The Minister of State has brought the professionals with him. He has introduced a series of initiatives, said they will be evaluated after an appropriate time and if the mandatory route is deemed to be necessary we can reconsider the position with a view to taking that route."
The Holy See has taken note of the present Irish Government's intention "to introduce legislation to making it a criminal offence to withhold information about serious offence against a child" (Speaking points presented by Mr Gilmore to the Apostolic Nuncio). While the Holy See obviously cannot comment on the proposed legislation without knowing the details, it does welcome and support whatever will genuinely contribute to the protection of children. With regard to the question of reporting to the civil authorities, the Holy See's position, while not new, is explicitly stated in the above-mentioned Circular Letter of 3 May 2011, namely: "Specifically, without prejudice to the sacramental internal forum, the prescriptions of civil law regarding the reporting of such crimes to the designated authority should always be followed."
2. TheTaoiseach's speech on theCloyne Report
The Cloyne Report itself contains no statement that would lend support to Mr Kenny's accusations. In fact, when the Apostolic Nuncio in Ireland was asked by the Commission of Inquiry "to submit to it any information which you have about the matters under investigation", the Commission received a reply to the effect that the Apostolic Nunciature "does not determine the handling of cases of sexual abuse in Ireland and therefore is unable to assist you in this matter. In fact, such cases are managed according to the responsibility of local ecclesiastical authorities, in this instance, the Diocese of Cloyne. Like all ecclesiastical entities in Ireland, the Diocese of Cloyne is bound to act in accordance with canon law and with all civil laws and regulations of Ireland as may be applicable" (2.11).
In this regard, the Holy See wishes to make it quite clear that it in no way hampered or interfered in the Inquiry into child sexual abuse cases in the Diocese of Cloyne. Furthermore, at no stage did it seek to interfere with Irish civil law or impede the civil authority in the exercise of its duties. In point of fact, as the Apostolic Nuncio's response to the Commission indicates, the Holy See expected the Diocesan authorities to act in conformity with Irish civil law. It should also be noted that the Commission of Inquiry acknowledges "the full co-operation it received from all parties involved in the investigation and their legal advisers" (1.79).
Mr Kenny also cited the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger to the effect that "Standards of conduct appropriate to civil society or the workings of a democracy cannot be purely and simply applied to the Church" and goes on to state: "I am making it absolutely clear that when it comes to the protection of the children of this State, the standards of conduct which the Church deems appropriate to itself, cannot and will not, be applied to the workings of democracy and civil society in this republic. Not purely, or simply or otherwise."
The quotation in question is taken from the Instruction on the Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian, otherwise known as Donum Veritatis (The Gift of the Truth), published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on 24 May 1990, and signed by the then Prefect and Secretary of the Congregation. It is not a private text of the then Cardinal Ratzinger but an official document of the Congregation. This document is concerned with the theologian's service to the Church community, a service which can also be of help to society at large, and not with the manner in which the Church should behave within a democratic society nor with issues of child protection, as Mr Kenny's use of the quotation would seem to imply.
As a basic methodological principle, a quotation extracted from a given text can be correctly understood only when it is interpreted in the light of its context. The quotation used by Mr Kenny is taken from paragraph 39 of the Instruction, which reads: "The Church, which has her origin in the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is a mystery of communion. In accordance with the will of her founder, she is organized around a hierarchy established for the service of the Gospel and the People of God who live by it. After the pattern of the members of the first community, all the baptized with their own proper charisms are to strive with sincere hearts for a harmonious unity in doctrine, life, and worship (cf. Acts 2:42). This is a rule which flows from the very being of the Church. For this reason, standards of conduct, appropriate to civil society or the workings of a democracy, cannot be purely and simply applied to the Church. Even less can relationships within the Church be inspired by the mentality of the world around it (cf. Rom 12:2). Polling public opinion to determine the proper thing to think or do, opposing the Magisterium by exerting the pressure of public opinion, making the excuse of a "consensus" among theologians, maintaining that the theologian is the prophetical spokesman of a "base" or autonomous community which would be the source of all truth, all this indicates a grave loss of the sense of truth and of the sense of the Church."
This text rejects a trend among some contemporary theologians to treat the Church's teaching as though it were the product of public debate, to dissent from "official teaching" and to impose their opinions on the faithful by means of public statements, protests and other such actions, which are legitimate in modern democracy but unsuited for handing on the truth of divine revelation, which theologians in their research are called to investigate and explain.
3. Response to theTánaiste's accusations and to the Dáil and Seanad motions
In his meeting with the Apostolic Nuncio, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Eamon Gilmore, stated that "among the most disturbing of the findings of the Cloyne report is that the Vatican authorities undermined the Irish Church's own efforts to deal with clerical child sexual abuse by describing the framework document adopted by the Bishops' Conference as a mere ‘study document'. As has been made clear above, this charge is not supported by an objective reading of the Cloyne Report nor by the fact that the common practice of the Irish Bishops was to apply the Framework Document. Furthermore, given that the Church has always insisted on the duty of all citizens to obey the just laws of the State (cf. Romans 13:1-2; Catechism of the Catholic Church, Nos. 1897-1904; 2238-2243), the Holy See does not accept the charge that "the Vatican intervened to effectively have priests believe they could in conscience evade their responsibilities under Irish law."
On 20 July 2011, the Dáil passed a motion on the Cloyne Report which, among other things, deplored "the Vatican's intervention which contributed to the undermining of the child protection framework and guidelines of the Irish State and the Irish Bishops". The same motion was passed by Seanad Éireann a week later. The Holy See wishes to clarify that at no stage in the past did it make any comment about the Irish State's child protection framework and guidelines, let alone seek to undermine them. The Holy See further observes that there is no evidence cited anywhere to support the claim that its "intervention" contributed to their "undermining". As for the child protection framework and guidelines of the Irish Bishops, the observations made above should suffice to dispel the notion that these were in any way undermined by any intervention of the Holy See.
In the Church, the Bishops are neither representatives nor delegates of the Roman Pontiff but of Christ (cf. Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium, No. 27), though, as Catholic Bishops, they are to act in communion with the Bishop of Rome and the other Bishops throughout the world; this is the principle of "episcopal collegiality", as described by the Second Vatican Council (cf. ibid, Nos. 21-25). Hence, while the diocesan Bishop is to act in conformity with universal canonical legislation, it is he who is primarily responsible for penal discipline in his Diocese, just as he is responsible for the concrete actuation in his Diocese of the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church in conformity with the universal law governing liturgy and the sacraments (cf. ibid. No. 27).
The sexual abuse of children is a crime. It is a crime in civil law; it is a crime in canon law. Sexual abuse perpetrated by clerics has two distinct aspects. The first is concerned with the civil and criminal responsibility of individuals, and this, being a matter for the civil authorities, is regulated by the laws of the State where the crime is committed. As has already been stated, all citizens, including members of the Church, are subject and accountable to these laws. It is the State's responsibility to legislate in order to protect the common good and adopt measures to deal effectively with those who infringe its laws. The State has the duty to investigate allegations of crime, to ensure due process and the presumption of innocence until guilt is proven and to punish wrongdoers, without favour or distinction, in accordance with the principles of justice and equity.
The second aspect is religious in nature and as such comes under the internal responsibility of the Church, which, in this regard, applies her own legal or canonical system. Positive ecclesiastical laws are binding on all those who "were baptized in the Catholic Church or received into it, and who have a sufficient use of reason and, unless the law expressly provides otherwise, who have completed their seventh year of age" (Code of Canon Law, canon 11). It is evident that the Church, in accordance with her own nature and internal organization, has the duty to punish wrongdoers for the grave and grievous damage done to the community of the Church. With regard to those areas of responsibility for which the Church has competence, her canonical system stipulates the norms, procedures and penalties which the relevant Church authority is to apply, without interference from any outside body. When cases arise of child sexual abuse committed by clerics or by religious or lay people who function in ecclesiastical structures, Church authorities are to cooperate with those of the State, and are not to impede the legitimate path of civil justice.
A brief overview of this legislation may prove helpful. For centuries canonical discipline has provided for dealing with the abuse of minors, even before most modern nation States introduced legislation in this regard. Prior to the Code of Canon Law promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 1983, such cases were handled according to the norms of the previous edition of the Code of Canon Law, promulgated by Pope Benedict XV in 1917. In 1922, the Holy Office issued the Instruction Crimen Sollicitationis which provided a framework of procedures to guide diocesan bishops dealing with the canonical crime or "delict" of solicitation in their application of canon law. The Instruction also included certain provisions on the crime of sexual abuse of prepubescent children. In 1962, Pope John XXIII authorized a reprint of the 1922 Instruction, with a section added regarding the administrative or judicial procedures to be used in those cases in which religious clerics were involved.
The 1983 Code updated the previous discipline in canon 1395 § 2: "A cleric who in another way has committed an offence against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue, if the delict was committed by force or threats or publicly or with a minor below the age of sixteen years, is to be punished with just penalties, not excluding dismissal from the clerical state if the case so warrants."
In April 2010, with a view to providing information to non-specialists on the canon law and procedures applicable to allegations of child sexual abuse perpetrated by clerics, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a Guide to Basic CDF Procedures concerning Sexual Abuse Allegations. This Guide, which is quoted in theCloyne Report (4.26), does not introduce new legislation but does describe in a non-technical way how the Congregation deals with cases of child sexual abuse according to the norms of Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela and how it responds to various other queries which frequently arise in connection with such cases. With regard to cooperation with civil authorities, the Guide explicitly states: "Civil law concerning reporting of crimes to the appropriate authorities should always be followed."
While Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela proved distinctly helpful in dealing with cases of child sexual abuse, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith considered it necessary to introduce certain modifications to improve its application. Following examination of the proposals, on 21 May 2010 Pope Benedict XVI promulgatedNormae de gravioribus delictis ("Norms concerning more grave delicts"), a text which contains, among other things, the current substantive and procedural norms applicable to cases of sexual abuse of minors committed by members of the clergy.
With regard to delicts against the moral law, article 6 of these Norms stipulates: "§ 1. The more grave delicts against morals which are reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith are: 1̊ the delict against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue committed by a cleric with a minor below the age of eighteen years; in this case, a person who habitually lacks the use of reason is to be considered equivalent to a minor. 2̊ the acquisition, possession, or distribution by a cleric of pornographic images of minors under the age of fourteen, for purposes of sexual gratification, by whatever means or using whatever technology; § 2. A cleric who commits the delicts mentioned above in § 1 is to be punished according to the gravity of his crime, not excluding dismissal or deposition." Furthermore, the preliminary investigation may be, but need not be, undertaken directly by the Congregation (art. 17) and, with due regard for the rights of the local Ordinary, the Congregation itself may take the precautionary measures provided for in canon 1722 of the Code of Canon Law during the preliminary investigation.
As the Cloyne Report was submitted to the Minister for Justice and Law Reform on 23 December 2010, it was not possible for it to include reference to the Circular Letter issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on 3 May 2011. This document is intended as a practical help to Episcopal Conferences worldwide in developing guidelines for dealing with cases of sexual abuse of minors perpetrated by clerics. The full text of the Circular Letter is available on the Holy See's website (www.vatican.va).
In the introductory paragraph the basic principles are stated: "Among the important responsibilities of the Diocesan Bishop in his task of assuring the common good of the faithful and, especially, the protection of children and of the young, is the duty he has to give an appropriate response to the cases of sexual abuse of minors by clerics in his diocese. Such a response entails the development of procedures suitable for assisting the victims of such abuse, and also for educating the ecclesial community concerning the protection of minors. A response will also make provision for the implementation of the appropriate canon law, and, at the same time, allow for the requirements of civil law."
In Part I (General Considerations), section e) is devoted to "Cooperation with Civil Authority". It states: "Sexual abuse of minors is not just a canonical delict but also a crime prosecuted by civil law. Although relations with civil authority will differ in various countries, nevertheless it is important to cooperate with such authority within their responsibilities. Specifically, without prejudice to the sacramental internal forum, the prescriptions of civil law regarding the reporting of such crimes to the designated authority should always be followed. This collaboration, moreover, not only concerns cases of abuse committed by clerics, but also those cases which involve religious or lay persons who function in ecclesiastical structures."
Finally, in Part III (Suggestions for Ordinaries on Procedures), it is stated that the guidelines "are to make allowance for the legislation of the country where the Conference is located, in particular regarding what pertains to the obligation of notifying civil authorities."
The Holy See's position with regard to many of the issues raised in the Cloyne Report is clearly expressed in the Letter to the Catholics of Ireland, a document which is nowhere mentioned in the Cloyne Report. Pope Benedict XVI wrote this Letter because he was deeply disturbed at what had come to light in earlier Reports and he desired to express his closeness to the Irish people, especially to the victims of the various forms of abuse documented, and to propose a path of healing, renewal and reparation.
In his Letter the Pope, while acknowledging the grave failures of the past in dealing with child protection issues, expressed appreciation for the efforts being made to remedy past mistakes and to ensure that these do not happen again. Addressing the Bishops directly, he stated: "It cannot be denied that some of you and your predecessors failed, at times grievously, to apply the long-established norms of canon law to the crime of child abuse. Serious mistakes were made in responding to allegations. I recognize how difficult it was to grasp the extent and complexity of the problem, to obtain reliable information and to make the right decisions in the light of conflicting expert advice. Nevertheless, it must be admitted that grave errors of judgement were made and failures of leadership occurred. All this has seriously undermined your credibility and effectiveness. I appreciate the efforts you have made to remedy past mistakes and to guarantee that they do not happen again" (No. 11).
In the same Letter, His Holiness also called Bishops and religious superiors to implement the Church's law regarding these crimes, to cooperate with the civil authorities and to update and apply child safety norms fully and in conformity with canon law: "Besides fully implementing the norms of canon law in addressing cases of child abuse, continue to cooperate with the civil authorities in their area of competence. Clearly, religious superiors should do likewise. They too have taken part in recent discussions here in Rome with a view to establishing a clear and consistent approach to these matters. It is imperative that the child safety norms of the Church in Ireland be continually revised and updated and that they be applied fully and impartially in conformity with canon law" (No. 11).
[2] Can. 1717
§1. Whenever an ordinary has knowledge, which at least seems true, of a delict, he is carefully to inquire personally or through another suitable person about the facts, circumstances, and imputability, unless such an inquiry seems entirely superfluous.
§1. When it seems that sufficient evidence has been collected, the ordinary is to decide: 1. whether a process to inflict or declare a penalty can be initiated; 2. whether, attentive to can. 1341, this is expedient; 3. whether a judicial process must be used or, unless the law forbids it, whether the matter must proceed by way of extrajudicial decree.
Ireland's Response to Vatican on Cloyne Report
"The Victims of Abuse ... Must Remain Foremost in Our Considerations"
DUBLIN, Ireland, SEPT. 8, 2011 - Here is the statement by the government of Ireland on the response of the Holy See to the report of the Commission of Investigation in the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne.
It is the Government of Ireland's hope that, in spite of outstanding differences, lessons have been learned from appalling past failures. In this regard, it welcomes the commitment in the concluding remarks of the Holy See's response to a constructive dialogue and cooperation with the Government. In welcoming this commitment the Government expects the fullest cooperation from the Holy See, the Catholic Church in Ireland and all other relevant bodies with a view to ensuing that Ireland is a society fully safe for children and minors and that all of those with responsibility for the welfare and care of children in this country are fully subject to Irish laws and requirements.