-- Rome -- The Vatican rolled out a reform of its penal sanctions on Tuesday. At a press conference in the Press Office of the Holy See, senior officials presented the revision of the Church’s universal law regarding punishments for canonical crimes as a major overhaul.
Some expected changes, however, did not materialise. Journalists also raised issues regarding accountability and transparency, which went largely unanswered.
'Contra sextum' still current
The bishops of England and Wales were among those, who had raised significant concerns regarding the rather sterile and technical language by which the Code of Canon Law refers to sexual abuse, especially the abuse of minors.
