The pope said that whistleblowers would be granted protection and that dioceses worldwide would be required to have a system in place to preserve the anonymity and confidentiality of those submitting claims.
All Catholic priests and nuns will be required to report clergy sexual abuse and cover-ups, as set out by Pope Francis.
The letter, titled Vos estis lux mundi , also establishes procedures to follow when conducting an investigation if the accused is a bishop, cardinal or another high-profile figure within the Catholic Church. The letter marks a significant shift in the dynamic of how the Catholic Church investigates cases of abuse. Up until now, reporting allegations of sexual misconduct was left to clerics and church officials’ discretion, but the letter insists reports must now be made within 90 days of the claims first surfacing.
"Forcing someone, by violence or threat or through abuse of authority, to perform or submit to sexual acts,” were all acts that members of the church will be required to report. Meanwhile, claims of possession or distribution of child pornography were also given a direct mention in the pontiff's letter.
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