COMPETENCES OF MAJOR SUPERIORS IN THE PROTECTION OF MINORS

Luigi Sabbarese

Luigi Sabbarese Pontifical Urbanian University, Rome

Keywords: abuse, delict, cleric, religious, ordinaries, hierarch, vulnerable, general, moderator, accused, crime, investigation, report, procedure, tribunal, pastoral

Abstract

The article concentrates on the Major Superiors and their responsibility in following the abuses committed by the clerics and or religious subject to them. The position of the Institutes of Consecrated Life regarding such cases of abuse of minors and vulnerable persons, the prudential intervention of the major superiors when there is news about an at least probable delict committed by a religious cleric or by a non-religious cleric and the specific procedures, are highlighted.

Author Biography

Luigi Sabbarese, Pontifical Urbanian University, Rome

Luigi Sabbarese, ordinary professor of matrimonial law in the Faculty of Canon Law of the Pontifical Urbanian University, Rome, is Consulter to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and for the Eastern Churches, Referendario at the Apostolic Signatura, Defender of the Bond and Promoter of Justice at the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of the Vicariate of Vatican City. He is also the founder of the Ius Missionale yearbook, author of numerous publications, and director of the "Cardinal Velasio De Paolis" Chair.