Survivors of clergy sexual abuse are calling on the Vatican to implement a zero-tolerance policy similar to the one adopted by the U.S. Catholic Church in 2002. This policy, known for its 'one strike and you're out' approach, permanently removes a priest from ministry upon admission or establishment of a single act of sexual abuse under church law.
The survivors argue that children worldwide deserve the same level of protection from predator priests as those in the U.S. The U.S. norms, implemented during the abuse scandal in Boston, have been praised for their strictness by some and criticized by others as excessive.
Despite Pope Francis' calls for zero tolerance on abuse, survivors feel that concrete actions have yet to be taken. The proposal for a universal application of the U.S. norms was put forth during a meeting in Rome between survivors and key church officials focused on preventing abuse.
While the collaboration was seen as historic, concerns were raised about the absence of representatives from key Vatican offices responsible for processing abuse cases and setting policy on applying canon law.
The Vatican's emphasis on 'proportionality' in abuse sentences, considering cultural differences in discussing abuse, has led to lighter punishments in some cases compared to the U.S. standards.
The road ahead for the proposed policy changes remains uncertain, as the Vatican has traditionally resisted a one-size-fits-all approach to abuse cases.
Efforts to address clergy sexual abuse continue to be a global concern, with survivors advocating for stronger measures to protect vulnerable individuals within the Catholic Church.
