In a surprise for the feast of St Jean-Marie Vianney, Pope Francis released a lengthy and substantive letter to priests. August 4th this year marked the 160th anniversary of the death of the Curé of Ars, declared the patron saint of parish priests by Pope Pius XI.
The letter draws heavily on Scripture and the Holy Father’s own teaching, and can be set in the context of the ongoing response of the Holy See to the abuse crisis. The Vatican summit last February was followed in short order by new legislation for the Vatican City State, and new canonical standards which greatly expand the obligation to report suspected cases of abuse of minors. The new measures also addressed abuses of power and manipulation of vulnerable adults, as well as mechanisms for investigating allegations against bishops.
