Q&A On The Canon Law Related To Sex Abuse By Priests And Deacons

Brother Oka has shared about the Defending The Pope project here. If you are more of a learn-by-question-and-answer person like me, I think this is something that might be useful for you to read.

The following link have some Questions and Answer provided by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It will answer those questions listed below. (Note: The page also has a downloadable PDF file).

http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-094.shtml

Questions and Answers Regarding the Canonical Process for the Resolution of Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests and Deacons

Q: Does the Church have its own laws against the sexual abuse of minors by members of the clergy?

Q: Which Church authority is responsible for addressing these offenses?

Q: What does canon law now require a bishop to do when he receives an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor committed by a cleric (priest or deacon)?

Q: Does the Holy See become involved at this point?

Q: How does the preliminary investigation into the allegation take place?

Q: Does the bishop always report the case to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith?

Q: What happens after the bishop reports the results of the preliminary investigation to the CDF?

Q: Is the priest or deacon still in ministry while all of this is being considered?

Q: Does the Pope become involved in the consideration of how best to proceed with addressing an allegation?

Q: What does a sexual abuse trial look like when conducted under canon law?

Q: Is the verdict open to appeal?

Q: Does the Pope have a role in hearing the appeal?

Q: Is a formal trial the only way that allegations of this crime can be resolved as a matter of canon law?

Q: What Church penalty can be imposed for the crime of sexual abuse of minors?

Q: What does dismissal from the clerical state mean for the priest or deacon?

Q: Does the CDF ever ask the Pope to impose a penalty?

Q: Is dismissal from the clerical state the same thing as what is commonly called "laicization"?

Q: How does dismissal from the clerical state differ from what is called "suspension"?

Q: Some priests have been assigned to what is called a "life of prayer and penance." What does this mean?

Q: If a legal process does not result in the imposition of a penalty, does that mean the priest or deacon will return to public ministry?

Q: Are there cases where a priest or deacon is falsely accused of sexual abuse?

Q: Does the Church conduct the legal proceedings mentioned above in secret?