On Saturday, the Vatican published an amendment to canon law to combat sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, extending criminal liability to lay Catholic leaders who run associations recognized by the Holy See and emphasizing that both minors and adults can be victims of abuse, Agerpres reports. .

In 2019, Pope Francis issued a “motu proprio,” a letter issued directly by the Pope that changes the internal law of the Universal Church (canon law), making it mandatory for all priests and members of religious orders to report any suspected sexual activity. attack and make them directly responsible to the bishops for any abuse committed by them or concealed.

Its revised version, officially released on Saturday, which will take effect on April 30, confirms and strengthens the provisions announced in 2019.

The new rules now also apply to the heads of international associations of believers, recognized or created by the Holy See, which are led by lay people, not just clergy. This is in response to numerous cases that have come to light in recent years in which lay leaders have been accused of abusing their positions to sexually exploit those under their tutelage or spiritual authority.

If the 2019 text placed special emphasis on “minors” and “vulnerable persons” and recalled that the production, possession and publication of “pornographic materials with minors” is prohibited, the 2023 version offers a broader definition of victims, condemning any act of aggression. committed against a “minor, mentally retarded or vulnerable adult”.

The papal text also calls on dioceses around the world to set up a system that allows the public to report cases of abuse and details the progress of internal investigations referred to the Vatican for possible prosecution.