Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02VATICAN5167
2002-10-23 09:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Vatican
Cable title:
VATICAN BACKS U.S. BISHOPS' SEXUAL ABUSE POLICY,
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VATICAN 005167
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT. EUR/WE (MENNUTI)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV SOCI PREL PGOV SOCI VT VTPHUM
SUBJECT: VATICAN BACKS U.S. BISHOPS' SEXUAL ABUSE POLICY,
BUT SEEKS CANONICAL DUE PROCESS
-------
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VATICAN 005167
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT. EUR/WE (MENNUTI)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV SOCI PREL PGOV SOCI VT VTPHUM
SUBJECT: VATICAN BACKS U.S. BISHOPS' SEXUAL ABUSE POLICY,
BUT SEEKS CANONICAL DUE PROCESS
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (U) IN AN OCTOBER 18 LETTER TO THE U.S. CONFERENCE OF
CATHOLIC BISHOPS, THE HOLY SEE CONVEYED ITS SUPPORT FOR THE
U.S. BISHOPS' EFFORTS TO ADDRESS SEXUAL ABUSE ISSUES, BUT
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 VATICA 05167 01 OF 02 231022Z
ALSO INDICATED ITS DESIRE FOR REVISIONS IN THE BISHOP'S
ABUSE POLICY DOCUMENT ADOPTED IN DALLAS IN JUNE 2002.
ALTHOUGH JUDGED POSITIVELY AS A WHOLE, THE DOCUMENT WAS SEEN
BY THE VATICAN TO BE AMBIGUOUS AND CONFUSED IN SOME PARTS,
AS WELL AS CONTRARY TO THE LAWS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
(CANON LAW). A COMMISSION OF FOUR U.S. BISHOPS AND FOUR
VATICAN OFFICIALS WILL CONDUCT THE REVISION, EXPECTED TO BE
COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE U.S. BISHOPS' NEXT MEETING IN
NOVEMBER. END SUMMARY.
-------------- ---
BISHOPS' POLICY ON TRACK, BUT FINE-TUNING NEEDED
-------------- ---
2. (U) THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED VATICAN RESPONSE TO THE U.S.
CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS' "NORMS FOR DIOCESAN POLICIES
DEALING WITH ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF MINORS BY
PRIESTS, DEACONS, OR OTHER CHURCH PERSONNEL," CONVEYED IN A
LETTER FROM THE PREFECT OF THE HOLY SEE'S CONGREGATION
(DEPARTMENT) FOR BISHOPS, CARDINAL GIOVANNI BATTISTA RE,
EXPRESSED STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE BISHOPS' EFFORTS TO RESPOND
TO THE SEX ABUSE PROBLEM IN THE U.S. THE HOLY SEE EXPRESSED
"FULL SOLIDARITY" WITH THE U.S. BISHOPS' CONDEMNATION OF
SEXUAL MISDEEDS AND SUPPORT FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO "RESPOND
FIRMLY" TO THE MISDEEDS OF A "VERY SMALL NUMBER" OF CHURCH
PERSONNEL. CARDINAL RE EMPHASIZED THAT THE HOLY SEE REGARDS
SEXUAL ABUSE OF MINORS AS "PARTICULARLY ABHORRENT." AT THE
SAME TIME, THE RE LETTER ALSO MADE CLEAR THAT THE VATICAN
SAW POTENTIAL FOR CONFUSION AND MISINTERPRETATION IN SOME
ASPECTS OF THE NORMS. RE'S LETTER IS THE FRUIT OF MONTHS OF
INTERNAL DISCUSSION AMONG FIVE VATICAN DEPARTMENTS. IT
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 VATICA 05167 01 OF 02 231022Z
REFLECTED THE UNEASE FELT HERE THAT CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF
THE NORMS COULD VIOLATE THE DUE-PROCESS RIGHTS OF ACCUSED
CLERGY.
3. (U) THE HOLY SEE'S CONCERNS WITH THE U.S. NORMS ARE
CENTERED ON THE MECHANISMS FOR ADMINISTERING THE POLICY, ITS
COMPATIBILITY WITH CANON LAW, AND LACK OF CLARITY IN SOME
TERMINOLOGY. FOR EXAMPLE, THE HOLY SEE IS CONCERNED ABOUT
THE POTENTIAL CHALLENGE TO A BISHOP'S AUTHORITY BY SO-CALLED
"REVIEW BOARDS" -- BODIES WITH A HEAVY LAY COMPONENT
MONITORING HOW SEX ABUSE ACCUSATIONS ARE DEALT WITH -- WHICH
ARE TO BE SET UP IN EVERY DIOCESE. THE U.S. DOCUMENT
DEFINES THESE AS CONSULTATIVE, HOWEVER, THE VATICAN BELIEVES
THEY COULD SEEK TO ASSERT AUTHORITY OVER BISHOPS TO HOLD
THEM ACCOUNTABLE. THE HOLY SEE ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT
THE DEFINITION OF "SEXUAL ABUSE." THE "NORMS" DEFINE SEXUAL
ABUSE BROADLY, INCLUDING NON-PHYSICAL ACTS. THE VATICAN
SEES THIS AS "VAGUE AND IMPRECISE AND THEREFORE DIFFICULT TO
INTERPRET."
4. (U) AN ADDITIONAL CONCERN IS THAT THE NORMS GO FURTHER
THAN CANON LAW AND RECENT PAPAL DIRECTIVES IN DEALING WITH
PRIESTS CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ABUSE -- EITHER IN A CIVIL OR
CHURCH COURT. INSTANT DISMISSAL FROM THE CLERICAL STATE --
THE SO-CALLED "ONE STRIKE AND YOU'RE OUT" POLICY -- DOES NOT
CONFORM TO CHURCH LAW. (COMMENT: THE VATICAN ALSO MAKES A
DISTINCTION BETWEEN ABUSE AND SEXUAL MISDEMEANOR, E.G., A
YOUNG PRIEST HAVING A CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A 17 YEAR-
OLD GIRL. INDEED, FROM THE VATICAN PERSPECTIVE THE LATTER
RELATIONSHIP IS NOT A CIVIL MISDEMEANOR IN MANY COUNTRIES
WHERE PRIESTS WORK. END COMMENT.) ALTHOUGH THE U.S.
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 VATICA 05167 01 OF 02 231022Z
BISHOPS MAINTAIN THAT CURRENT CHURCH LAW PROCEDURES WILL BE
RESPECTED, THE VATICAN IS SEEKING CHANGES TO SPECIFY EXACTLY
HOW THIS WILL BE DONE.
5. (U) TO ACHIEVE THESE REFINEMENTS AND PROVIDE THE VATICAN
"RECOGNITIO" REQUESTED BY THE U.S. BISHOPS FOR THEIR POLICY,
THE HOLY SEE AND THE U.S. BISHOPS HAVE CREATED A MIXED
COMMISSION OF FOUR U.S. BISHOPS AND FOUR REPRESENTATIVES
FROM THE HOLY SEE DICASTERIES HAVING A ROLE IN THE MATTERS
UNDER REVIEW -- THE CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE
FAITH, THE CONGREGATION FOR BISHOPS, THE CONGREGATION FOR
THE CLERGY, AND THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR LEGISLATIVE
TESTS. THEIR REVISIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN TIME
FOR THE NEXT U.S. BISHOPS MEETING IN NOVEMBER. AFTER THE
BISHOPS INCORPORATE THE CHANGES INTO THEIR' NORMS, THE HOLY
SEE WOULD THEN APPROVE THE REVISED DOCUMENT (PROVIDE
"RECOGNITIO"),WHICH THEN AUTOMATICALLY BECOMES BINDING FOR
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES (THOUGH NOT
ELSEWHERE).
--------------
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ5751
PAGE 01 VATICA 05167 02 OF 02 231022Z
ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 DS-00 UTED-00
VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 LAB-01 VCE-00 NSAE-00 TEST-00
DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-02 SAS-00 /003W
-------------- FCA70A 231023Z /38
R 230934Z OCT 02
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC
INFO WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 02 VATICAN 005167
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT. EUR/WE (MENNUTI)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV SOCI PREL PGOV SOCI VT VTPHUM
SUBJECT: VATICAN BACKS U.S. BISHOPS' SEXUAL ABUSE POLICY,
BUT SEEKS CANONICAL DUE PROCESS
COMMENT
--------------
6. (SBU) CONTRARY TO MEDIA REPORTS SUGGESTING THAT THE HOLY
SEE REJECTED THE U.S. BISHOPS' PROPOSALS, THE HOLY SEE'S
RESPONSE IS BROADLY SUPPORTIVE WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY
CONCERNED THAT THE U.S. PROPOSALS -- HAMMERED OUT RAPIDLY
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 VATICA 05167 02 OF 02 231022Z
LAST SUMMER UNDER AN INTENSE MEDIA SPOTLIGHT -- LACK THE
PRECISION AND CLARITY NEEDED TO ENSURE AN EFFECTIVE POLICY
THAT BOTH PROTECTS MINORS FROM ABUSE WHILE PROVIDING
ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS FOR CLERGY IN THE FACE OF POTENTIAL
FALSE ALLEGATIONS. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THE VATICAN
WANTS TO DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH THE PROBLEM OF SEXUAL ABUSE
BY CLERGY, BUT DOES NOT WANT TO DO SO AT THE COST OF
DEPRIVING CLERGY OF DUE PROCESS. THE HOLY SEE DOES NOT AT
THIS TIME REGARD THE U.S. BISHOPS' EFFORT AS A MODEL FOR THE
REST OF THE WORLD, WHERE IN CERTAIN COUNTRIES VOLUNTARY
NORMS HAVE ALREADY BEEN AGREED WITH THE TACIT APPROVAL OF
THE HOLY SEE. NEVERTHELESS, THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT THAT THE
U.S. POLICY WILL BECOME A POINT OF REFERENCE FOR OTHER
COUNTRIES COMING TO TERMS WITH PAST CASES OF ABUSE. FOR
THIS REASON, THE HOLY SEE WANTS TO BE SURE THAT THE U.S.
NORMS ARE FULLY CONSISTENT WITH CHURCH LAW AND PROVIDE A
LASTING BASIS TO PROTECT MINORS FROM ABUSE WHILE ENSURING
CANONICAL DUE PROCESS FOR ACCUSED CLERGY.
HARDT
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2002VATICA05167 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT. EUR/WE (MENNUTI)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV SOCI PREL PGOV SOCI VT VTPHUM
SUBJECT: VATICAN BACKS U.S. BISHOPS' SEXUAL ABUSE POLICY,
BUT SEEKS CANONICAL DUE PROCESS
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (U) IN AN OCTOBER 18 LETTER TO THE U.S. CONFERENCE OF
CATHOLIC BISHOPS, THE HOLY SEE CONVEYED ITS SUPPORT FOR THE
U.S. BISHOPS' EFFORTS TO ADDRESS SEXUAL ABUSE ISSUES, BUT
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 VATICA 05167 01 OF 02 231022Z
ALSO INDICATED ITS DESIRE FOR REVISIONS IN THE BISHOP'S
ABUSE POLICY DOCUMENT ADOPTED IN DALLAS IN JUNE 2002.
ALTHOUGH JUDGED POSITIVELY AS A WHOLE, THE DOCUMENT WAS SEEN
BY THE VATICAN TO BE AMBIGUOUS AND CONFUSED IN SOME PARTS,
AS WELL AS CONTRARY TO THE LAWS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
(CANON LAW). A COMMISSION OF FOUR U.S. BISHOPS AND FOUR
VATICAN OFFICIALS WILL CONDUCT THE REVISION, EXPECTED TO BE
COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE U.S. BISHOPS' NEXT MEETING IN
NOVEMBER. END SUMMARY.
-------------- ---
BISHOPS' POLICY ON TRACK, BUT FINE-TUNING NEEDED
-------------- ---
2. (U) THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED VATICAN RESPONSE TO THE U.S.
CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS' "NORMS FOR DIOCESAN POLICIES
DEALING WITH ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF MINORS BY
PRIESTS, DEACONS, OR OTHER CHURCH PERSONNEL," CONVEYED IN A
LETTER FROM THE PREFECT OF THE HOLY SEE'S CONGREGATION
(DEPARTMENT) FOR BISHOPS, CARDINAL GIOVANNI BATTISTA RE,
EXPRESSED STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE BISHOPS' EFFORTS TO RESPOND
TO THE SEX ABUSE PROBLEM IN THE U.S. THE HOLY SEE EXPRESSED
"FULL SOLIDARITY" WITH THE U.S. BISHOPS' CONDEMNATION OF
SEXUAL MISDEEDS AND SUPPORT FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO "RESPOND
FIRMLY" TO THE MISDEEDS OF A "VERY SMALL NUMBER" OF CHURCH
PERSONNEL. CARDINAL RE EMPHASIZED THAT THE HOLY SEE REGARDS
SEXUAL ABUSE OF MINORS AS "PARTICULARLY ABHORRENT." AT THE
SAME TIME, THE RE LETTER ALSO MADE CLEAR THAT THE VATICAN
SAW POTENTIAL FOR CONFUSION AND MISINTERPRETATION IN SOME
ASPECTS OF THE NORMS. RE'S LETTER IS THE FRUIT OF MONTHS OF
INTERNAL DISCUSSION AMONG FIVE VATICAN DEPARTMENTS. IT
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 VATICA 05167 01 OF 02 231022Z
REFLECTED THE UNEASE FELT HERE THAT CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF
THE NORMS COULD VIOLATE THE DUE-PROCESS RIGHTS OF ACCUSED
CLERGY.
3. (U) THE HOLY SEE'S CONCERNS WITH THE U.S. NORMS ARE
CENTERED ON THE MECHANISMS FOR ADMINISTERING THE POLICY, ITS
COMPATIBILITY WITH CANON LAW, AND LACK OF CLARITY IN SOME
TERMINOLOGY. FOR EXAMPLE, THE HOLY SEE IS CONCERNED ABOUT
THE POTENTIAL CHALLENGE TO A BISHOP'S AUTHORITY BY SO-CALLED
"REVIEW BOARDS" -- BODIES WITH A HEAVY LAY COMPONENT
MONITORING HOW SEX ABUSE ACCUSATIONS ARE DEALT WITH -- WHICH
ARE TO BE SET UP IN EVERY DIOCESE. THE U.S. DOCUMENT
DEFINES THESE AS CONSULTATIVE, HOWEVER, THE VATICAN BELIEVES
THEY COULD SEEK TO ASSERT AUTHORITY OVER BISHOPS TO HOLD
THEM ACCOUNTABLE. THE HOLY SEE ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT
THE DEFINITION OF "SEXUAL ABUSE." THE "NORMS" DEFINE SEXUAL
ABUSE BROADLY, INCLUDING NON-PHYSICAL ACTS. THE VATICAN
SEES THIS AS "VAGUE AND IMPRECISE AND THEREFORE DIFFICULT TO
INTERPRET."
4. (U) AN ADDITIONAL CONCERN IS THAT THE NORMS GO FURTHER
THAN CANON LAW AND RECENT PAPAL DIRECTIVES IN DEALING WITH
PRIESTS CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ABUSE -- EITHER IN A CIVIL OR
CHURCH COURT. INSTANT DISMISSAL FROM THE CLERICAL STATE --
THE SO-CALLED "ONE STRIKE AND YOU'RE OUT" POLICY -- DOES NOT
CONFORM TO CHURCH LAW. (COMMENT: THE VATICAN ALSO MAKES A
DISTINCTION BETWEEN ABUSE AND SEXUAL MISDEMEANOR, E.G., A
YOUNG PRIEST HAVING A CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A 17 YEAR-
OLD GIRL. INDEED, FROM THE VATICAN PERSPECTIVE THE LATTER
RELATIONSHIP IS NOT A CIVIL MISDEMEANOR IN MANY COUNTRIES
WHERE PRIESTS WORK. END COMMENT.) ALTHOUGH THE U.S.
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 VATICA 05167 01 OF 02 231022Z
BISHOPS MAINTAIN THAT CURRENT CHURCH LAW PROCEDURES WILL BE
RESPECTED, THE VATICAN IS SEEKING CHANGES TO SPECIFY EXACTLY
HOW THIS WILL BE DONE.
5. (U) TO ACHIEVE THESE REFINEMENTS AND PROVIDE THE VATICAN
"RECOGNITIO" REQUESTED BY THE U.S. BISHOPS FOR THEIR POLICY,
THE HOLY SEE AND THE U.S. BISHOPS HAVE CREATED A MIXED
COMMISSION OF FOUR U.S. BISHOPS AND FOUR REPRESENTATIVES
FROM THE HOLY SEE DICASTERIES HAVING A ROLE IN THE MATTERS
UNDER REVIEW -- THE CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE
FAITH, THE CONGREGATION FOR BISHOPS, THE CONGREGATION FOR
THE CLERGY, AND THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR LEGISLATIVE
TESTS. THEIR REVISIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN TIME
FOR THE NEXT U.S. BISHOPS MEETING IN NOVEMBER. AFTER THE
BISHOPS INCORPORATE THE CHANGES INTO THEIR' NORMS, THE HOLY
SEE WOULD THEN APPROVE THE REVISED DOCUMENT (PROVIDE
"RECOGNITIO"),WHICH THEN AUTOMATICALLY BECOMES BINDING FOR
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES (THOUGH NOT
ELSEWHERE).
--------------
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ5751
PAGE 01 VATICA 05167 02 OF 02 231022Z
ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 DS-00 UTED-00
VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 LAB-01 VCE-00 NSAE-00 TEST-00
DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-02 SAS-00 /003W
-------------- FCA70A 231023Z /38
R 230934Z OCT 02
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC
INFO WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 02 VATICAN 005167
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT. EUR/WE (MENNUTI)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV SOCI PREL PGOV SOCI VT VTPHUM
SUBJECT: VATICAN BACKS U.S. BISHOPS' SEXUAL ABUSE POLICY,
BUT SEEKS CANONICAL DUE PROCESS
COMMENT
--------------
6. (SBU) CONTRARY TO MEDIA REPORTS SUGGESTING THAT THE HOLY
SEE REJECTED THE U.S. BISHOPS' PROPOSALS, THE HOLY SEE'S
RESPONSE IS BROADLY SUPPORTIVE WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY
CONCERNED THAT THE U.S. PROPOSALS -- HAMMERED OUT RAPIDLY
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 VATICA 05167 02 OF 02 231022Z
LAST SUMMER UNDER AN INTENSE MEDIA SPOTLIGHT -- LACK THE
PRECISION AND CLARITY NEEDED TO ENSURE AN EFFECTIVE POLICY
THAT BOTH PROTECTS MINORS FROM ABUSE WHILE PROVIDING
ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS FOR CLERGY IN THE FACE OF POTENTIAL
FALSE ALLEGATIONS. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THE VATICAN
WANTS TO DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH THE PROBLEM OF SEXUAL ABUSE
BY CLERGY, BUT DOES NOT WANT TO DO SO AT THE COST OF
DEPRIVING CLERGY OF DUE PROCESS. THE HOLY SEE DOES NOT AT
THIS TIME REGARD THE U.S. BISHOPS' EFFORT AS A MODEL FOR THE
REST OF THE WORLD, WHERE IN CERTAIN COUNTRIES VOLUNTARY
NORMS HAVE ALREADY BEEN AGREED WITH THE TACIT APPROVAL OF
THE HOLY SEE. NEVERTHELESS, THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT THAT THE
U.S. POLICY WILL BECOME A POINT OF REFERENCE FOR OTHER
COUNTRIES COMING TO TERMS WITH PAST CASES OF ABUSE. FOR
THIS REASON, THE HOLY SEE WANTS TO BE SURE THAT THE U.S.
NORMS ARE FULLY CONSISTENT WITH CHURCH LAW AND PROVIDE A
LASTING BASIS TO PROTECT MINORS FROM ABUSE WHILE ENSURING
CANONICAL DUE PROCESS FOR ACCUSED CLERGY.
HARDT
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2002VATICA05167 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED