Vatican Tells New Bishops They Don’t Have to Report Sexual Abuse to Police

Newsweek ^ | 2/11/16 | Lucy Westcott

[Impala64ssa]

Updated | The Vatican has told new Catholic bishops that they have no obligation to report clerical child abuse, according to reports.

During a presentation for newly appointed bishops, French Monsignor Tony Anatrella said they don't have a duty to report abuse because it should be the responsibility of victims and their families to go to the police. The comments were first reported by John L. Allen at the Catholic news site Cruxnow.com earlier this week.

Anatrella, a psychtherapist and consultant to the Pontifical Council for the Family and the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers, is known for his controversial views on homosexuality, including that the acceptance of homosexuality in the West is creating “serious problems” for children. He also helped to write a training document for newly appointed bishops that further spells out the church's stance on clerical sexual abuse.

"According to the state of civil laws of each country where reporting is obligatory, it is not necessarily the duty of the bishop to report suspects to authorities, the police or state prosecutors in the moment when they are made aware of crimes or sinful deeds," the training document, which was released by the Vatican earlier this month, reads. The document says bishops are required only to report the suspected abuse internally.

When reached for comment, a Vatican receptionist told Newsweek that Thursday is a holiday, so no one in the Vatican press office would be readily available. Newsweek also left a voicemail message at the Vatican's Permanent Mission to the United Nations and emailed every person listed as the Mission’s permanent staff to seek confirmation and clarification of the comments, but has not yet received a response.

[Impala64ssa]

FTA, "According to the state of civil laws of each country where reporting is obligatory, it is not necessarily the duty of the bishop to report suspects to authorities, the police or state prosecutors in the moment when they are made aware of crimes or sinful deeds,"
What kind of double talk is this. While Msgr. Anatrella makes valid points about how "gender theory" can negatively impact children and adolescents, has the Vatican learned ANYTHING from the priest abuse scandal, which is still causing repercussions within the Church? Or is this some, I'm being diplomatic here, misguided interpretation of Proverbs 6:19 (among the seven thing that are detestable to G-D) "a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family."

[Gamecock]

A good plan would be to just move them to another parish.</sarc>

[Sacajaweau]

If you see or know of a crime, of course you should report it.

[Maverick68]

Just tell em’ it’s part of your culture....works for muzzies....

[Larry Lucido]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3395557/posts

[George from New England]

This is so anal. These bishops force all lay staff to go through all sorts or ‘safe environment’ crap including 100% background checks and fingerprinting, etc. And they can non-report the religious for the same offenses.

Hell has frozen over I presume.

[kaehurowing]

Directly conflicts with the law in my state.

[StoneWall Brigade]

The Vatican, was mis translated

[zek157]

There’s a place in hell for these people.

[snarkpup]

Back when Phil Hendrie was on my local radio, he once remarked that the management of the Catholic Church contains more accused sex offenders than the management of Hell's Angels. It's a comedy show so whether he was speaking hyperbolically or literally, I do not know. But either way would be plausible.

[FamiliarFace]

Absolutely!

[MrEdd]

Meet the new Pope.
Same as the twentieth century Popes.

[FamiliarFace]

I really hope you’re right.

[lee martell]

whatWHATwhat,...WHAT???

[StoneWall Brigade]

I was being sarcastic that’s what, the apologists always say when the Pope, says or does something stupid.

[rcofdayton]

Something tells me this has either been misconstrued or is being misreported by the liberal media. Time will tell.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Satan has infiltrated and is running the Vatican. There can be no doubt.

[PTBAA]

If true, this goes way beyond stupid and into evil territory.

[Gamecock]

That seems to happen daily.

[miserare]

New Pope—same old pedophilia.