Pope Issues New Law

Pope Francis on Friday issued new directives to prevent child sexual abuse within the Vatican City State, as had been promised after February’s anti-abuse summit.

The pontiff released three documents in total: a “motu proprio” apostolic letter, plus a law and guidelines covering the territory of the Vatican, the world’s smallest nation, NAN reports.

The package, valid from June 1, introduces the legal obligation for all Vatican officials to report suspected cases of abuse, except for information covered by the seal of confession.

It foresees the appointment of a “contact person” within the Vatican’s administration, tasked with implementing child sex abuse prevention policies and looking after victims.

Victims must be kept informed about the investigations of their case, offered “medical and psychological care,’’ legal advice, and protected from their suspected abusers, the guidelines say.

They also include: a series of instructions for Vatican staff, who deal with children, including a ban on corporal punishment and on the taking of pictures or videos unauthorised by parents.