[wideawake]

Ratzinger’s 2001 letter, sent to the world’s bishops, reiterated the punishment for anyone going outside the church with allegations of priest sexual abuse.

The fact is, Quix and wmfights, is that this is simply not true.

That 2001 instruction says absolutely nothing of the kind.

There is no canonical punishment of any kind for a Catholic who gives accurate information about a crime to a secular entity.

The 2001 instruction was written specifically to reiterate that there was no such punishment.

[wmfights]

There is no canonical punishment of any kind for a Catholic who gives accurate information about a crime to a secular entity.

Okay, assuming this is true, why were crimes ignored and the authorities not notified. From my perspective it's the cover up that makes this so much worse.

There is no doubt that when allegations were made priests were transferred instead of the information being given to the police. No question the person accused may be innocent and their reputation is harmed, but what is the greater duty.

[Quix]

Short of reading the documents myself, I’ll take your word for it.

Thanks.