This week, Pope Francis made a decision that will have a huge impact on the countless sexual abuse cases shrouded in secrecy at the hands of the Catholic Church.
On Tuesday, the Pope issued a declaration abolishing ‘pontifical secrecy’ in the church. It’s a “code of confidentiality” that has been used to silence survivors of sexual abuse, protect pedophiles and even stop authorities from investigating cases.
In lifting the rule, the Vatican decree states that “the person who files the report, the person who alleges to have been harmed and the witnesses shall not be bound by any obligation of silence with regard to matters involving the case.”
In short, this means that victims will be able to relay information about their sexual abuse claims to police, prosecuters and judges.
Anne Barrett Doyle, the founder of BishopAccountability.org said in a statement via The New York Times: “For decades, pontifical secrecy has been an obstruction to civil justice, spurring bishops worldwide to thwart prosecutions of abusive priests.” She also called the decision to abolish the rule, “a first step toward decreasing the anti-victim bias of canon law.”
This week, Pope Francis also changed the Catholic Church’s definition of what it considers child pornography, raising the age of a minor to anyone under 18, according to Euronews.
It’s not the first time the Pope has attempted to seriously alter the Church’s stance on sexual abuse allegations. Earlier this year, he organised an international summit of bishops which resulted in a new rule that means accused bishops would be thoroughly investigated over sexual abuse claims and coverups, and immediately reported to the Vatican.
Sexual abuse within the Catholic Church has been widely reported from all corners of the globe, including within Australia. Just a few months ago, Australian cardinal George Pell, who is currently serving six years in prison for the sexual assault of two boys in the 90s, had his appeal against his conviction dismissed.
The Pope’s decision to abolish pontifical secrecy in the Catholic Church is a historic moment for victims of sexual abuse and their families. It also marks a change in the way the church sees abuse, and while much of the damage has already been done, it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
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