[cebadams]

>> ... those convicted under Church law of abusing the young should receive zero tolerance.

Criminal activity (of any kind) should be handled by the local criminal justice system first -- give unto Caesar and all that. The whole Church tribunal thing is a diversion and will tend to keep complaints behind closed doors. Only those complaints that make it into the public forum will be dealt the zero-tolerance policy.

If there isn't a conviction from the local criminal justice system then and only then should the local Church legal system step in to determine whether there is cause for further action.

[Unam Sanctam]

I disagree. Canon law and civil law are entirely different spheres. Both should be allowed their full province. If one breaches civil law, one should be dealt with by the civil law. If one breaches canon law, one should be dealt with by canon law. If one breaches both, one should be dealt with by both. The state has no right to interfere in canon law and the Church should not be dependent on the state for enforcing its own internal rules.