US lay people are launching a new initiative to assess cardinals’ records on combatting abuse and corruption.

Better Church Governance has signed up former FBI agents as investigators, led by Phil Scala, a former FBI Supervisory Special Agent.

Academics, lawyers and editors will help to draw up a dossier, “The Red Hat Report”, which will cover all cardinals able to vote in the next papal conclave – that is, those under the age of 80.

It aims to increase transparency and honesty in Church governance, to "empower members of the Church to courageously stand up for the truth", and to help the cardinals themselves.