Pope establishes new judicial body to deal with clerical sex abuse

Department to be composed of seven cardinals and bishops.

Vatican City:  Pope Francis established on Tuesday a new judicial body within the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith with responsibility for dealing with clerical sex abuse, thus confirming the Holy See’s continuing response to the crisis.

The new body, which is known as a college and which goes into effect November 11, was established “due to the number of appeals and the need to guarantee that they are examined more rapidly and following detailed reflection”.

The decision was taken by Pope Francis during a November 3 audience with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and issued in a rescript.

The department will be composed of seven members appointed by the Pope from among cardinals and bishops, and will be entrusted with examining appeals by clergy accused of committing ‘delicta graviora', or 'more grave crimes', in order to lighten the work of the ordinary session of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The department's members do not have to be members of the congregation.

Source: Catholic News Agency