Rupnik Case ‘Still Progressing,’ Reports Vatican’s Top Disciplinary Official

Transparency and truth are of “critical importance” in the work of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Secretary of the Disciplinary Section at the Vatican Dicastery has said.

Irish Archbishop John Kennedy told OSV News that the two departments “have ultimately the same goal: to change the culture and life of the Church so that it is a safe place for children” and to “find out the truth about allegations of abuse and serve justice.”

The Vatican official was responding to a question about the PCPM’s first annual report assessing the church’s policies and procedures to prevent abuse in dioceses worldwide, which was published Oct. 29. The 50-page report identified a “persistent concern regarding the transparency in the Roman Curia’s procedures and juridical processes” and cited the DDF in particular for its slow processing of cases and lengthy canonical proceedings.

Recognizing that cases can sometimes be lengthy, the Irish prelate said this was because the canonical proceedings may not usually begin until the civil courts have completed their judgment.

“While a bishop may receive notification about an alleged abuse, he is obliged to first follow the laws of the land and not interfere in a civil legal process until everything has been concluded. When the case then is free to enter into the canonical realm, things usually move along but there can be other factors that can cause delays. Some victims can be hesitant about giving evidence because of the belief that these details might become public. We cannot stress enough that these matters are treated with the utmost confidentiality.”

Archbishop Kennedy, 56, said the dicastery strives to help in every way and regularly asks for an update, usually every six months.

Continue reading at Catholic Review