The Catholic Church has universal laws valid around the globe, but many of those laws — including on handling allegations of abuse — must be further refined on a local level to respond to national laws and cultures.
Universal and local: Church law responds to local law, culture
Days of covering up abuse allegations are over, says Vatican adviser
Pope Francis’ new document, “Vos estis lux mundi” (“You are the light of the world”) effective June 1 establishes and clarifies norms and procedures for holding bishops and religious superiors accountable in protecting minors as well as in protecting members of religious orders and seminarians from abuse.
Cardinal DiNardo welcomes new papal norms on preventing clergy abuse
Cardinal DiNardo praises the new papal norms on preventing clergy sexual abuse for leaving latitude for national bishops’ conferences, such as the USCCB, to specify still more to account for their local circumstances.
Pope issues new norms on mandatory abuse reporting, bishop accountability
Pope Francis has revised and clarified norms and procedures for holding bishops and religious superiors accountable in protecting minors as well as in protecting members of religious orders and seminarians from abuse.