"Pope Benedict has granted new powers to dismiss priests who are living with women ..."


This does not apply to cases involving the sexual abuse of minors by a priest...


Adapted from the NEWS BRIEFS section of the Jesuit magazine America. Issue of June 22 - 29, 2009.

"Pope Benedict has granted the Vatican Congregation for Clergy new powers to dismiss from the priesthood priests who are living with women, who have abandoned their ministry for more than five years or who have engaged in seriously scandalous behavior.

"The new powers do not apply to cases involving the sexual abuse of minors by a priest; those cases continue to be overseen by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith."