“The protection of minors and vulnerable persons is an integral part of the Gospel message,” His Holiness Pope Francis insists in the very first line of his Apostolic Letter. The Pontiff 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”. 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.
As reported by Vatican news, Accompanied by new legislation for the Vatican City State, and new guidelines from the Vicariate for Vatican City, the Pontiff’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 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 Pontiff 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. 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.
