The latest Apostolic Letter Issued “Motu Propio” (an edict personally issued by the Roman Pontiff on his ‘own initiative’) by Pope Francis last May 7, 2019 before the “ad limina” visit by the Philippine Bishops which subsequently taken as part of their agenda is “Vos estis Lux MundI” (You are the light of the world, Mat. 5:14)” http://m.vatican.va/content/francescomobile/en/motu_proprio/documents/papa-francesco-motu-proprio-20190507_vos-estis-lux-mundi.html

This was written under the light of the recent sexual abuses on minors, which “cause physical, psychological and spiritual damage to the victims and harm the community of the faithful”.

The Church does not close her eyes and avoid the responsibility of theses abuses which are also legal crimes, but admits that the “responsibility falls, above all, on the successors of the Apostles, chosen by God to be pastoral leaders of his People, and demands from them a commitment to follow closely the path of the Divine Master. Because of their ministry, in fact, Bishops, “as vicars and legates of Christ, govern the particular churches entrusted to them by their counsel, exhortations, example, and even by their authority and sacred power, which indeed they use only for the edification of their flock in truth and holiness, remembering that he who is greater should become as the lesser and he who is the chief become as the servant” (Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, 27).

The bishop therefore are strongly encouraged to Report to the civil authorities any crimes committed by priests and religious men or women. By failing to do so, it was clarified that the bishops concerned could be accused of covering up these crimes which makes them legally and even morally responsible.

There is no need to point the finger to the former seminary formation of these abusers. They were usually the products of the age of contestation which in the church was highlighted by the disobedience to the letter of Saint Pope Paul VI “Humana Vitae”.

However, as what Pope Benedict wrote the church of Ireland, the whole church is co-responsible in preventing if not solving this problem on March 19, 2010. (http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/letters/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20100319_church-ireland.html). Lay faithful therefore are encouraged strongly to help the bishops prevent or immediately report these crimes.

Art. 3 reads: “whenever a cleric or a member of an Institute of Consecrated Life or of a Society of Apostolic Life has notice of, or well-founded motives to believe that, one of the facts referred to in article 1 has been committed,

[i.e., a) delicts against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue consisting of:

i.        forcing someone, by violence or threat or through abuse of authority, to perform or submit to sexual acts;

ii.       performing sexual acts with a minor or a vulnerable person;

iii.      the production, exhibition, possession or distribution, including by electronic means, of child pornography, as well as by the recruitment of or inducement of a minor or a vulnerable person to participate in poI wish to point out two things: first is the rnographic exhibitions]

that person is obliged to report promptly the fact to the local Ordinary where the events are said to have occurred or to another Ordinary.”

I wish to point out two things: first is when a lay person “has notice of, or well-founded motives to believe” that a consecrated person has committed a crime, and second, that person “is obliged to report promptly the fact to the local Ordinary where the events are said to have occurred or to another Ordinary. . .”

We are used to think that we could gather evidence. Our minds are accustomed to think in cliche like “Innocent until proven otherwise”. This, in itself, has legal value, so much so that before reporting we must and be sure about the crime committed and its evidence like that presented in civil courts . Instead the Pope simply says that if one has “notice of” or has “well-founded motives to believe” of the crime, he or she is “obliged to report promptly” to the bishop.

Of course this has to be done in charity and without judging the victimizer but only to help the church and the bishop to prevent or to exercise investigation, due process and justice with charity to all the parties involved, even fo the victim, for the sake of the Body of Christ, the Church.

In fact, the Motu Proprio is not only about the above mentioned. But it is part of justice and fair to encourage our lay faithful in being co-responsible in making the church more beautiful, prevent her from being defiled, and to do justice to her to her members and he leaders, out of charity and for the Church.