Swiss bishops welcome new paedophile rules
Swiss Roman Catholic Bishops have welcomed a Vatican announcement that the rules for dealing with paedophile priests are to be tightened up.
The Swiss Bishops’ Conference said in a statement on Thursday that Vatican determination to combat all forms of sexual abuse backed its own position.
In particular it welcomed the extension from 10 to 20 years of the length of time in which sexual violence against minors can be prosecuted, and the determination to prosecute cases of child pornography. Proceedings are also to be made faster and more efficient.
At a meeting in June, the Swiss Bishops’ Conference toughened its guidelines on sexual abuse.
“Sexual violence is a crime, and sexual violence against children is a particularly heinous crime. It must have no place in the church,” the statement said.
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