15
June
BARRING ABUSERS (Bishops to remove priests for any offense, past or present)
The nation’s prelates voted overwhelmingly Friday to permanently remove from public ministry any priest who has ever molested a child, even if it was a single act committed long ago. This is a defining moment for the Roman Catholic Church in America.
AT A GLANCE
Highlights of national policy on disciplining priests approved Friday by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops:
– Bars priests who commit sexual abuse from parish work and all public ministry.
– Allows bishops, acting on the advice of an advisory board comprised mainly of lay