"Crimen sollicitationis" had nothing to do with secular criminal or civil courts. Nothing. The whole thing deals with Canonical courts and a very narrow, particular category of canonical violations.
I never said it does, but when the Vatican tells people to hush us under the thread of ex-communication, that's an abuse of power and authority.
Vatican told bishops to cover up sex abuse
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/aug/17/religion.childprotection
The Vatican instructed Catholic bishops around the world to cover up cases of sexual abuse or risk being thrown out of the Church.
The Observer has obtained a 40-year-old confidential document from the secret Vatican archive which lawyers are calling a 'blueprint for deception and concealment'. One British lawyer acting for Church child abuse victims has described it as 'explosive'.
The 69-page Latin document bearing the seal of Pope John XXIII was sent to every bishop in the world. The instructions outline a policy of 'strictest' secrecy in dealing with allegations of sexual abuse and threatens those who speak out with excommunication.
They also call for the victim to take an oath of secrecy at the time of making a complaint to Church officials. It states that the instructions are to 'be diligently stored in the secret archives of the Curia [Vatican] as strictly confidential. Nor is it to be published nor added to with any commentaries.'
Far from constituting a cover-up, it actually requires investigation and prosecution.
So when are we going to hear about the prosecution part of the sex crimes of the Catholic clergy?
All I keep getting told is *Once a priest, always a priest*.
The Vatican did not people to hush up under the threat of excommunication.
The documents cited deal with canonical procedural due process in a canonical trial for the laicization of a priest. That is all.
Taking it to the secular authorities is in no instance forbidden, and in many instances required.
Did you get that?
*Once a priest, always a priest*.
That’s right, and once a Catholic always a Catholic, so get to confession as soon as you can, then to Mass. The sake of your eternal salvation depends on it. Don’t waste another minute.