Pope Francis has announced an update to a 2019 church law that addresses clerical sexual abuse and extends it to hold Catholic lay leaders of Vatican-approved religious organizations accountable. The law, initially outlined in the Apostolic letter Vos estis lux mundi, was set to expire after four years but has now been made permanent with minor adjustments, taking effect from April 30.
In response to decades of sex abuse scandals involving the Catholic Church, the new norms will include provisions for holding lay leaders accountable for covering up abuse, expanding beyond bishops and religious superiors. The definition of abuse victims has also been updated to include “a minor, or with a person who habitually has an imperfect use of reason, or with a vulnerable adult”. Pope Francis has stated that these changes represent a commitment to take concrete measures to combat sexual abuse within the Church.