Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale704

7. Circular Letter of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (3 May 2011)

As the Cloyne Report was submitted to the Minister for Justice and Law

Reform on 23 December 2010, it was not possible for it to include reference to

the Circular Letter issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

on 3 May 2011. This document is intended as a practical help to Episcopal

Conferences worldwide in developing guidelines for dealing with cases of

sexual abuse of minors perpetrated by clerics. The full text of the Circular

Letter is available on the Holy See's website (www.vatican.va).

The Circular Letter was issued following the promulgation of Normae de

delictis gravioribus. With a view to facilitating the correct application of these

norms and other issues relating to the abuse of minors, the Congregation

considered it opportune for each Episcopal Conference to prepare guidelines

to ensure clear and coordinated procedures in dealing with instances of abuse.

The Circular Letter contains specific elements to assist each Episcopal Con-

ference in the preparation of such guidelines or in reviewing those which

already exist.

The Circular Letter covers various issues, including some that lie outside

of the remit of canon law. In particular, it refers to cooperation with the civil

authorities in three places and explicitly addresses the question of reporting:

In the introductory paragraph the basic principles are stated: "Among the

important responsibilities of the Diocesan Bishop in his task of assuring the

common good of the faithful and, especially, the protection of children and of

the young, is the duty he has to give an appropriate response to the cases of sexual

abuse of minors by clerics in his diocese. Such a response entails the development

of procedures suitable for assisting the victims of such abuse, and also for edu-

cating the ecclesial community concerning the protection of minors. A response

will also make provision for the implementation of the appropriate canon law,

and, at the same time, allow for the requirements of civil law."

In Part I (General Considerations), section e) is devoted to "Cooperation

with Civil Authority". It states: "Sexual abuse of minors is not just a canonical

delict but also a crime prosecuted by civil law. Although relations with civil

authority will differ in various countries, nevertheless it is important to cooperate

with such authority within their responsibilities. Specifically, without prejudice

to the sacramental internal forum, the prescriptions of civil law regarding the