PENNSYLVANIA
Tribune-Democrat
By Dave Sutor
dsutor@tribdem.com
Pope Francis’ recently released decree that outlined procedures for investigating bishops who allegedly fail to protect victims of child sexual abuse would not likely apply to former Bishop Joseph Adamec, according to one of Pennsylvania’s prominent Canon law lawyers and the leader of a victims’ advocacy group.
By releasing the document, the pontiff wanted to point out the “grave reasons” a diocese leader can be removed from office include “the negligence of the bishops in the exercise of their office, in particular in relation to cases of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults.”
Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General released a grand jury report, accusing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown of carrying out a decades-long cover-up of child sexual abuse.
Adamec, who served as the diocese’s bishop from 1987 to 2011, was criticized for allegedly protecting accused priests.
However, since Adamec is no longer the bishop, Professor Nicholas P. Cafardi, dean emeritus for the Duquesne University School of Law, cannot see how the pope’s guidelines and punishments would apply to him since “He has no office to deprive him of.”
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.