The revised section, involving about 90 articles concerning crime and punishment, incorporates many existing changes made to church law by Francis and his predecessor Benedict XVI. In a separate accompanying document, the pope reminded bishops that they were responsible for following the letter of the law. Sexual abuse of minors was put under a new section titled “Offences Against Human Life, Dignity and Liberty”, compared to the previously vague “Crimes Against Special Obligations”. ExpandedThe new section was expanded to include crimes such as “grooming” of minors or vulnerable adults for sexual abuse and possessing child pornography. He was defrocked in 2019 on charges of the sexual abuse of minors and adults.

Source: The Irish Times June 01, 2021 14:37 UTC