“Version 2.0” of the dicastery’s “Vademecum on certain points of procedure in treating cases of sexual abuse of minors committed by clerics” was necessary mainly because of Pope Francis’ promulgation of a new section of the Code of Canon Law dealing with crimes and punishments in the church.
Diocesan officials learned from the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that the baptisms were invalid because of the form used during the ritual.
Discernment also is needed to fight against “abuses of every kind,” the pope said Jan. 21 during an audience with the cardinals, bishops, priests and laypeople who were taking part in the doctrinal congregation’s plenary assembly.
After receiving an unprecedented letter from 67 bishops appealing for a delay in a discussion during the bishops’ upcoming spring general assembly on whether to prepare a teaching document on the reception of Communion, the USCCB’s president explained in a memo the procedure followed in bringing the question to a vote during the June 16-18 virtual meeting.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has urged the U.S. bishops to proceed with caution in their discussions about formulating a national policy “to address the situation of Catholics in public office who support legislation allowing abortion, euthanasia or other moral evils.”
The statement was a response to a question or “dubium” that came from priests and lay faithful “who require clarification and guidance concerning a controversial issue,” said an official commentary accompanying the statement.
The Vatican released its Sept. 22 letter “‘Samaritanus bonus,’ on the Care of Persons in the Critical and Terminal Phases of Life,”
The prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said his office sometimes has the “very unpleasant” obligation to take action against theologians in order to safeguard the faith.
