A panel of legal experts is to advise the Pope on whether to remove a religious superior or bishop from office for failing to protect children and vulnerable adults from sex abuse. The new measures were announced in a motu proprio from the Pope. Vatican offices will continue to investigate claims of negligence on the part of bishops, ordinaries or religious superiors under their jurisdiction. But the Pope – who makes the final decision about a bishop’s removal from office – will be assisted by a papally appointed “college of jurists”, according to procedures that take effect on September 5. In the motu proprio (the phrase means it is on his own initiative), the Pope reaffirmed that bishops and other Church leaders can be “legitimately removed” for negligence. In order for it to be grounds for removal, such negligence – either through omission or commission – must have caused “serious harm to others”, including individuals or a community, the letter said, and “the harm can be physical, moral, spiritual” or to property. The letter clarified that it normally requires a “very serious” lack of due diligence for a bishop to be removed; however, when it comes to a failing to protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse, a “serious” lack of due diligence is sufficient grounds for removal. Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston, president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, said the new procedures were “clearly an important and positive step forward by Pope Francis”. The measures were a way to ensure “greater accountability in how we, as leaders of the Church, handle cases of abuse”.