A Critical Appraisal of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons

Abstract

Summary: Introduction. 1. The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (The Dallas Charter). 2. T he essential norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons. 2.1 The Juridical Nature of the Essential Norms. 2.2. Provisions of the Draft Essential Norms as Approved by the Bishops. 2.3. The Response of the Holy See. 3. Amendments to the Essential Norms. 3.1. Amendments to the preamble. 3.2. Amendments to Norm 1. 3.3. Amendments to Norm 2. 3.4. Amendments to Norm 3. 3.5. Amendments to Norm 4. 3.6. Amendments to Norm 5. 3.7. Amendments to Norm 6. 3.8. Amendments to Norm 7. 3.9. Amendments to Norm 8. 3.10. Amendments to Norm 9. 3.11. The Inclusion of Norm 9. 3.12. Norm 10. 3.13. Norm 11. 3.14. Norm 12. 3.15. Norm 13. 4. Reception of the Norms: Elements most Critiqued. 4.1. The haste and the pressure under which the Norms were prepared 4.2. The Seeming Disregard for the Presumption of Innocence. 4.3. The definition of sexual abuse. 4.4. Zero tolerance and proportionality. 4.5. Retroactivity. 4.6. Relationship between the Norms and the Charter. 4.7. Prescription. 4.8. Withdrawal from Ministry. 4.9. The Case of the Religious. 4.10. Remuneration. 4.11. Wide Administrative Powers. 4.12. Ex-officio dismissal from the clerical state. 4.13. The Role of the Diocesan Review Boards. 5. Sanctions. 6. Recent Amendments to the Essential Norms. 6.1. Amendments to highlight the complementarity with universal law. 6.2. Amendments highlighting the elements of justice. Conclusion.