Vatican Commission Seeks to Address Legal Loophole Facing Women Religious Suffering Abuse

Vatican Commission Seeks to Address Legal Loophole Facing Women Religious Suffering Abuse

Efforts to address the abuse crisis in the Church have focused on minors and vulnerable adults, leaving unaddressed the abuse suffered by women religious. Eff...

Vatican commission seeks to address issue of women religious suffering abuse

Consecrated women and women religious who have suffered abuse face a significant legal loophole: Canon law and specialized commissions focus primarily on minors and adults with disabilities, leaving these women outside their scope of protection.In practice, this means that if the victim is an adult who has received formation, it is assumed she can defend herself or that she consented. However, signs of change are beginning to emerge from the Vat…