There are facts and truths that "sexual libertarians" don't want society or public opinion to know, that even they don't want to know. To sum up those facts - accumulated in different human cultures and societies - we don't need sex to live a full life and be content. To define one's identity on the basis of our sexuality alone is to reduce our human value and dignity. I am a lot more than just my genitalia, and so are you. G.S.
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My purpose in these posts is to bring together significant and, where possible, representative echoes of our best human efforts to make sense of our lives - and of our human sexuality in particular - also including the voice of Jesus Christ, the one Saviour of the world, and testimonies from his Church, such as through her teaching voice, the Magisterium. The Church has been accumulating much valuable wisdom granted her by Almighty God since her foundation at Pentecost. In this way, wherever there is darkness in our human understanding, it will serve to highlight the bright and radiant truth, which is Jesus Christ: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also." John's Gospel 14:6-7
Father Gilles Surprenant, priest & poustinik
Pope Francis issues new legislation for protection of minors – 2019.03.29
The Vatican on Friday released three new documents
from Pope Francis concerning the protection of minors and vulnerable persons in
the Vatican City State.
By Christopher Wells
“The protection of minors and vulnerable persons is an integral part of the Gospel message,” Pope Francis insists in the very first line of his Apostolic Letter. The Pope says that it is the duty of all “to generously welcome children and vulnerable persons, and to create a safe environment for them, giving priority to their interests”.
Motu proprio
Accompanied by new
legislation for the Vatican City State, and new guidelines from the Vicariate
for Vatican City, the Holy Father’s Letter aims at “further strengthening the
institutional and normative framework for preventing and combatting abuse
against children and vulnerable persons” in the Roman Curia and in Vatican
City.
In particular, the documents
published on Friday focus primarily on the protection of minors and vulnerable
adults, and the prevention of crimes against them; while also providing new
regulations concerning the duty of reporting abuse, caring for victims and
their families, removing offenders from their positions, and prosecuting those
guilty of abuse. In his Letter, the Pope also acknowledges the rights of the
accused to a fair and impartial trial, including the presumption of innocence,
rule of law, and proportionality in sentencing.
Further, Pope Francis provides new norms for training of Vatican officials and employees about “the risks of exploitation, sexual abuse, and maltreatment of children and vulnerable persons, as well as the means to identify and prevent such offences”.
New Law for Vatican City
Specific details of the new
laws promulgated for Vatican City State include a definition of vulnerable
persons as anyone in “a state of infirmity, of physical or mental deficiency,
or of deprivation of personal liberty” which limits their comprehension, or
their ability to resist an offence. Vulnerable persons are considered
equivalent to minors for purposes of the new laws and guidelines.
The legislation also sets out
a statute of limitations of twenty years, which for crimes against a minor
begins when they reach the age of 18.
New “General Protective
Measures” provide for purported victims to be informed of their rights, and of
the adoption or cessation of measures taken against the liberty of the accused.
Care for the confidentiality of victims and their families is a concern
throughout the new documents; which also call for measures to protect them from
retaliation or intimidation.
An “Accompanying Service” is also established, which will offer a “service of listening” as well as providing medical, psychological, and social services for victims. The service will also help victims understand and vindicate their rights, and assist them in going to the authorities.
Vicariate issues new Guidelines
The Guidelines adopted for
the Vicariate of Vatican City are practical means to implement the new laws,
and ensure “best practices” with regard to the care and protection of children
and vulnerable adults. They insist that all laws and canons in this area must
be “scrupulously respected”.
They also call for the Vicar
General, who has responsibility for pastoral care within Vatican City, to
appoint a Referente, or Contact Person for the Protection of
Minors, whose duties include preventing all forms of abuse; training Vatican
officials and workers; and welcoming those who make claims of exploitation,
sexual abuse, or maltreatment.
The Vicariate also provides
definitive guidance for Vatican employees, with norms that require, for instance,
that those working with minors should always be visible to others; must report
any dangerous behavior; keeping parents informed; and using caution in dealing
with minors.
New regulations also flatly
forbid any corporal punishment; offending a child or engaging in inappropriate
or sexually suggestive conduct; asking children to keep a secret; or filming or
photographing a child without written consent from their parents.
The new Law for Vatican City State will go into force on June 1 of this year; while the new Guidelines for the Vicariate, which are being implemented ad experimentum for three years, take effect immediately.
29
March 2019, 11:56
MORE LINKS
Apostolic Letter Issued "Motu Proprio" by the Supreme Pontiff FRANCIS "As a Loving Mother"
Pope emeritus Benedict XVI: Return to God to overcome abuse crisis - Pope emeritus Benedict XVI publishes his reflections on the scandal of sexual abuse in the Church, saying it was made possible by a progressive eclipse of faith in God.
Full text of Benedict XVI essay: 'The Church and the scandal of sexual abuse
© 2006-2023 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal QC
© 2006-2023 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
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