Catholic bishops extend ban on abusive priests News
Catholic bishops extend ban on abusive priests

[JURIST] The US Conference of Catholic Bishops [official website] Friday voted to extend a policy to ban abusive priests from working in the church by a margin of 228-4. The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People [policy], originally written in 2002, has prompted the removal of hundreds of clergy accused of abusing children during the last three years. The conference did amend other sections of the charter such as the "watchdog" National Review Board [official website] which will remain under the bishops' oversight and has the potential of including clergy in the future. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) [official website] has criticized the policy and the changes made [statement] saying the Catholic church should not be entrusted to discipline their own. The 5-year extension is expected to receive Vatican approval. AP has more.

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