Late last week dioceses across Canada launched the Canadian Reporting System for Sexual Abuse or Cover-up by a Catholic Bishop. This tool initiated by the Canadian Bishops and supported by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), is a national reporting system gives individuals the opportunity to report sexual abuse or cover-up by a Canadian Bishop. A media release about the reporting tool states:
“Today,[May 6, 2021] the Bishops of Canada launch a national, bilingual service for reporting situations of sexual abuse either committed or covered-up by a Bishop. This service furthers their commitment to responsibility, accountability and transparency in matters of clergy sexual abuse and their commitment to facilitate healing and justice for victims-survivors."
The Canadian Reporting System for Sexual Abuse or Cover-up by a Catholic Bishop is a direct response to Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter entitled Vos estis lux mundi (You are the light of the world). In this Letter, the Pope calls on dioceses and eparchies throughout the world to establish “...one or more public, stable and easily accessible systems for submission of reports…”. With Vos estis lux mundi, the Pope indicates what procedures must be followed in the universal Church when allegations are made against a Bishop. In doing so, he updates, clarifies and standardizes practices around the world.”
To read about the Canadian Reporting System for Sexual Abuse or Cover up by A Catholic Bishop click here or go to our Archdiocesan Responsible Ministry page and click on the image: Bishop Reporting System.
