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	Bishops Should Cooperate with Authorities over Child Abuse AGI May 16, 2011 http://www.agi.it/english-version/italy/elenco-notizie/201105161217-cro-ren1032-bishops_should_cooperate_with_authorities_over_child_abuse (AGI) Vatican - The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith laid out guidelines for fighting child sexual abuse. The body commented: 'Sexual abuse of minors is not just a canonical crime, but also a crime prosecuted by the civil authorities'. In a circular to the Bishops Conferences the doctrinal body specified the criteria for national level guidelines to combat the phenomenon. 'Although relations with the civil authorities differ in different countries, it is in any case important to cooperate with them in the context of their respective powers. In particular, the requirements of civil laws regarding the reporting of the crimes to the relevant authorities should always be taken as a given, without however affecting the internal sacramental forum'. . .
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