Catholic bishops who suspect clerical child abuse need not report it to police. That's apparently the opinion of the Vatican, spelled out in a training document for newly appointed bishops.
"According to the state of civil laws of each country where reporting is obligatory, it is not necessarily the duty of the bishop to report suspects to authorities, the police, or state prosecutors in the moment when they are made aware of crimes or sinful deeds," the document written by a French monsignor states, per the Guardian.
Instead, it notes it's a bishop's duty to report the abuse internally, and let victims or their family members share the claims with police.
"According to the state of civil laws of each country where reporting is obligatory, it is not necessarily the duty of the bishop to report suspects to authorities, the police, or state prosecutors in the moment when they are made aware of crimes or sinful deeds," the document written by a French monsignor states, per the Guardian.
Instead, it notes it's a bishop's duty to report the abuse internally, and let victims or their family members share the claims with police.