POPE CRACKS DOWN ON SEX ABUSE (Issues Motu Proprio)

Catholic League ^ | July 11, 2013 | Bill Donohue

[NYer]

As Pope Francis proved today, he has no stomach for child exploitation, or for any type of sexual abuse. His decision to revise the norms affecting these crimes, complete with more stringent penalties, is a welcome tonic. However, he does not need to be congratulated for this initiative—he needs to be supported by those in a position to do so.

Child sexual abuse is a serious worldwide problem. It affects every secular and religious organization where there is sustained interaction between adults and children. In the West, it is aided and abetted by a sick culture bent on eroticizing youth. From advertisements in magazines and on billboards, to TV shows during the day and in the evening—to say nothing of music videos and the movie industry—we are inundated with hyper-sexualized portrayals and images, the result of which is a morally debased milieu.

When it comes to racial tensions, many are quick to point to the “root causes” of poverty and injustice. But these same persons show little or no interest in addressing the “root causes” of child sexual exploitation. As we recently saw in the debate over gun control, those who were screaming the loudest for stricter gun laws were typically silent on the role Hollywood plays in fostering violence in our culture. The same is true about sexual exploitation—there is a reluctance to get Hollywood to do something about its role in furthering this problem.

The Catholic Church had a problem with priestly sexual abuse in the 1960s and 1970s, but today it has the cleanest record of any institution. Currently, child sexual abuse is a problem in places like Hollywood, Indian reservations, the Orthodox Jewish communities, the public schools, and, of course, in the home (boyfriends and stepfathers are the worst offenders). Wherever it exists, it must be stomped out. Thank God Pope Francis is leading the way.

[NYer]

Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has issued a Motu Proprio on criminal law matters and administrative sanctions within Vatican City State and the Holy See. In a statement by the Holy See’s Press Office, it was announced that on this same date, the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State has adopted the following laws:

Pope Francis issues Motu Proprio on criminal law matters in Vatican

[NYer]

Ping!

[SevenofNine]

Good props to the Pope

Be honest NYER there going be lots of people in SO CAL what took the cathoic church so long
Especially in Los Angeles

Somebody should went Benson Stalber on priest long time ago we have idiot in Archbishop Roger Mahoney

[nickcarraway]

Motu Proprio is Latin for, “the bishops will completely ignore.”

[Alex Murphy]

As Pope Francis proved today, he has no stomach for child exploitation, or for any type of sexual abuse. His decision to revise the norms affecting these crimes, complete with more stringent penalties, is a welcome tonic. However, he does not need to be congratulated for this initiative....

Leave it to the Catholic League to spin this into something it's not. There are no congratulations in order, because this fictitious "crackdown" is in reality a required revision of existing laws, prompted by the Vatican signing several international treaties including the "U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child" treaty.

See related threads:
Pope Francis issues Motu Proprio on criminal law matters in Vatican
Pope criminalizes leaks, sex abuse in first laws

[Gluteus Maximus]

Motu Proprio is Latin for, “the bishops will completely ignore.”

LMAO!!!!

[nickcarraway]

Well, not intended to criticize Pope Francis, but he should know this, since he ignored Pope Benedict's Motu Proprio.

[piusv]

Best line I’ve heard in awhile....LOL

[SevenofNine]

ROFL that good one Nick

[Salvation]

Now let’s see how much the non-Catholic Christians criticize the Catholic Church! BTTT!

[Salvation]

It’s only in the Vatican for now.

[haffast]

SNAP v. the Pope, et al
http://www.ccrjustice.org/ourcases/current-cases/survivors-network-of-those-abused-priests-v.-joseph-ratzinger%2C-et-al

Fighting for the Future Adult Survivors Work to Protect Children & End the Culture of Clergy Sexual Abuse

An NGO Report

The Holy See

§ The Convention on the Rights of the Child

§The Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography

February 2013
http://www.ccrjustice.org/files/SNAP%20Shadow%20Report%20to%20UN%20CRC.pdf

UN gives Vatican deadline to answer questions on sex abuse cases (Deadline = Nov. 1)
The Globe and Mail ^ | 7/10/2013 | Robert Evans
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3041667/posts

The Holy See
http://www.un.org/en/members/nonmembers.shtml

*Link Only* : Pope criminalizes leaks, sex abuse in first laws (USA Today)
2:16 p.m. EDT July 11, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/07/11/pope-criminalizes-leaks-sex-abuse-in-first-laws/2508013/

[plain talk]

These laws, however, have a broader scope, since they incorporate into the Vatican legal system the provisions of numerous international conventions including: the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, on the conduct of war and war crimes; the 1965 Convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination; the 1984 Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the 1989 Convention on the rights of the child and its optional protocols of 2000. Of particular note in this context is the introduction of the crime of torture and a broader definition of the category of crimes against minors (including: the sale of children, child prostitution, the recruitment of children, sexual violence and sexual acts with children, and the production and possession of child pornography). A section of the legislation introduces a list of crimes against humanity, in particular, the crimes of genocide and apartheid, following broadly the definitions adopted in the 1998 Statute of the International Criminal Court. The section of the Criminal Code regarding offences committed in the exercise of public administration has also been revised in light of the 2003 United Nations Convention against corruption. With regard to penalties, that of life imprisonment has been abolished and it has been replaced with a maximum penalty of 30 to 35 years of imprisonment.

Interesting. Looks the the Pope is not leading at all (since when is being against child abuse unexpected behavior in a Pope and worthy of accolades) but taking orders from the UN. Not sure why UN conventions relevant when expressing Church doctrine. I welcome clarifications.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“The Catholic Church had a problem with priestly sexual abuse in the 1960s and 1970s, but today it has the cleanest record of any institution”

NYer, this statement comes across as hype, but maybe you can point us to the international organization that does the Purest Institutional Child Abuse Rankings 2013?

[stanne]

Leave it to Alex Murphy to denigrate this

[little jeremiah]

Placemark for pingout.

[Biggirl]

.....Or a warning to the bishops to either obey or when you retire, a bishop will come in who will.

[Biggirl]

But down the road knowing this Pope Francis, will be enforced outside the Vatican.

[verga]

Now let’s see how much the non-Catholic Christians criticize the Catholic Church! BTTT!

They do not need an excuse. Futher it is very easy for them to do so since they refuse to even look at their own house.