I wonder if there are any other parts of the world that have implemented Vos estis more transparently? It would seem like the renewal of it would be a good time to provide (or at least solicit) some "best practices" guidance.
"There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known."
Transparency is the solution. As we move beyond a hierarchy-centered model of the Church to a true ecclesiology, where the hierarchy has a role in preventing sexual abuse but no more central a role than Catholic journalists or Catholic mothers, the main impediment is secrecy, whether "pontifical secrets" or people protecting someone's reputation from gossip. What two things does Jesus condemn above all else in Scripture? Hypocrisy and the abuse of children.
However, as everything comes out, we will also need to come up with some answers about how repentance is supposed to work. Of course, monsters should have millstones put around their necks and be cast into the sea, but what are we supposed to do with people who sin grievously but fall short of that corruption? The answer must involve forgiveness after some kind of repentance. Penance has become considered old-fashioned, but a person used to be able to come back into the Church after suffering for 10 years. Real penance is both the proof that a person has truly repented, and the cause of real repentance.
We will not have transparency so long as the exposing of any sin results in complete cancellation. As in the days when shoplifting was a crime that children could be hanged for, no one is willing to accuse a person of faults until every line has been crossed.
In November 2018 New Advent referenced an article from The Boston Pilot that said a motion was made to require all bishops to swear off all sexual activity (and it was pretty specific and thorough about what that activity was) and get help if they couldn't. If even after that they couldn't behave their oath required them to resign. Unfortunately, it didn't pass because Rome didn't want them dealing with the problem nationally, and when I went back to read the article again it was gone. Something like that would be helpful.
I wonder if there are any other parts of the world that have implemented Vos estis more transparently? It would seem like the renewal of it would be a good time to provide (or at least solicit) some "best practices" guidance.
"There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known."
Transparency is the solution. As we move beyond a hierarchy-centered model of the Church to a true ecclesiology, where the hierarchy has a role in preventing sexual abuse but no more central a role than Catholic journalists or Catholic mothers, the main impediment is secrecy, whether "pontifical secrets" or people protecting someone's reputation from gossip. What two things does Jesus condemn above all else in Scripture? Hypocrisy and the abuse of children.
However, as everything comes out, we will also need to come up with some answers about how repentance is supposed to work. Of course, monsters should have millstones put around their necks and be cast into the sea, but what are we supposed to do with people who sin grievously but fall short of that corruption? The answer must involve forgiveness after some kind of repentance. Penance has become considered old-fashioned, but a person used to be able to come back into the Church after suffering for 10 years. Real penance is both the proof that a person has truly repented, and the cause of real repentance.
We will not have transparency so long as the exposing of any sin results in complete cancellation. As in the days when shoplifting was a crime that children could be hanged for, no one is willing to accuse a person of faults until every line has been crossed.
In November 2018 New Advent referenced an article from The Boston Pilot that said a motion was made to require all bishops to swear off all sexual activity (and it was pretty specific and thorough about what that activity was) and get help if they couldn't. If even after that they couldn't behave their oath required them to resign. Unfortunately, it didn't pass because Rome didn't want them dealing with the problem nationally, and when I went back to read the article again it was gone. Something like that would be helpful.