A new decree
issued by Pope Francis on 4 June under which bishops can be removed
from office if found guilty of negligence involving grave abuse of
minors or vulnerable adults has been greeted with cynicism by the
National Secular Society and a victim support group.
The
new decree does not equate to a criminal prosecution under secular law
and the maximum sanction for bishops found guilty under this decree is
removal from office, and even that is subject to Pontifical approval.
Those disciplined under the new decree will not have a criminal record
as a result and the decree does not apply to those of higher, or indeed
lower, rank than bishops. Cardinals have been implicated in such
facilitation but appear to be immune from sanction.