Francis sets up abuse tribunal for bishops

Pope Francis has approved the first-ever system for judging and possibly deposing bishops who fail to protect children from abusive clerics, a major step in responding to Catholics who have been furious that guilty priests have been defrocked while bishops have largely escaped punishment.

The five-point plan on accountability for bishops originated with the special sexual abuse commission that Francis set up to deal with the ongoing crisis. After some modifications, his nine-member Council of Cardinals unanimously signed off on it, and Francis gave his final blessing to it on June 10.

“Very pleased the pope has approved the Commission’s proposal on accountability,” tweeted Marie Collins of Ireland, a survivor of sexual abuse, who sits on the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.