A report from Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley was presented to the afternoon session of the Council of Cardinals on 8 June 2015. The report included: a proposal for Pope Francis regarding allegations of the abuse of office by a bishop connected to the abuse of minors, originally prepared by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors; and a proposal regarding allegations of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults by clergy. Five specific proposals were made:

“1. That because the competence to receive and investigate complaints of the episcopal abuse of office belongs to the Congregations for Bishops, Evangelization of Peoples, or Oriental Churches, there is the duty to report all complaints to the appropriate Congregation. Continue reading →