Cardinal William Levada, the former prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), said that he does not anticipate a downgrading of the Vatican’s doctrinal agency, and expects that the CDF will continue to handle cases of priests accused of sexual abuse, in a lengthy interview with the National Catholic Register.
The American prelate, who was appointed as CDF prefect by Pope Benedict XVI, also spoke to the Register about his admiration for the retired Pontiff, and the rigorous approach to sex-abuse cases that Pope Benedict had championed.
Reacting to a question about whether the doctrinal work of the CDF could be decentralized, with decisions made by national bishops’ conferences, Cardinal Levada demurred. “I don’t think that would be a useful proposal,” he said.
The CDF has assumed the responsibility for the prosecution of clerics in sex-abuse cases. Although some rumors in Rome have suggested that the prosecution might be transferred to another Vatican office, Cardinal Levada was again skeptical. “The experience that the CDF now has… would favor the fact that it continues to do this,” he said.
Full story at Catholic Culture.
Decisions by National Bishops Conferences? Are they kidding? According to the secular press, many of the offending priests were able to continue their crimes ONLY because of rosy eyed bishops who kept hoping things would improve and middle management monsignors who just winked and looked away.
The Catholic Church needs a strong, unified approach applicipable world wide, not local exceptions.
The Bishops need to realize they obey the rules or lose their Episcopacy and risk criminal conviction in secular law courts.
I also beleive we must keep in mind ninety percent of priests did their jobs, stayed out of trouble, and otherwise were honorable men.
I agree with everything you say mikem.