Presbyterian church formally adopts new sex abuse policy News
Presbyterian church formally adopts new sex abuse policy

[JURIST] The Presbyterian Church (USA) [official website] has formally adopted 11 changes [press release, summary of amendments] to its constitution in an effort to prevent and deal more harshly with sexual abuse by members of the clergy. The changes, to be incorporated into the church's Book of Order [PDF text] on July 3, allow victims more involvement in the offender's punishment as well as stricter requirements for reporting sexual abuse to civil authorities. The amendments, announced last week, come three years after a report [PDF text] on sexual abuse by clergy of the children of missionaries in the Congo. AP has more.