The revised section of the Code of Canon Law dealing with crimes and penalties, including those related to clerical sexual abuse, should be ready for publication before the end of summer, said the secretary of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts.
Bishop Juan
Pope Francis’ recent apostolic letter Spiritus Domini changed canon law to permanently allow women to serve as acolytes and lectors. In a new report for Our Sunday Visitor, experts within the Church laud the change, saying it is an important step in
Recognizing "the gifts of each baptized person" -- women and men -- Pope Francis ordered a change to canon law and liturgical norms so that women could be formally installed as lectors and acolytes.
"A consolidated practice in the Latin church has confirmed,
The 12-year process of updating the Code of Canon Law section dealing with crimes and penalties was necessary "to make it more organic and responsive to new situations and problems," Pope Francis said. Meeting February 21 with members and staff of the
If it were up to many frustrated Catholics who follow the news, Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York already would be excommunicated. Several Catholic commentators, including some bishops, have said the Democratic governor should have received that serious penalty for fully backing