'Act swiftly' over lapses - Pope
Pope John Paul said bishops must act swiftly in cases of “grave lapses”, particularly if crimes involve the moral behaviour of priests.
The reference to the sex abuse scandal that has rocked the Roman Catholic Church was contained in a 192-page exhortation to bishops released on the 25th anniversary of John Paul’s papacy.
In a section of the document on the need for chastity in the church, he said bishops must encourage priests to remain faithful to their vocations “and to the requirements of an exemplary life in the exercise of the ministry”.
“In cases of grave lapses, and even more of crimes which do damage to the very witness of the Gospel, especially when they involve the church’s ministers, the bishop must be firm and decisive, just and impartial,” he wrote.
The pope said the bishop must act in a timely manner, respecting church law, “for the reparation of scandal and the restoration of justice, and for all that is required for the protection and assistance of victims”.
The scandal of clergy abuse has hit a number of countries, including Britain, the United States, Ireland and the Philippines, resulting in the removal of a number of priests, the resignation of several bishops and large damage settlements against the church.
