Normae substantiales w liście apostolskim papieża Franciszka Vos estis lux mundi w świetle wcześniejszego prawodawstwa powszechnego i polskiego prawa partykularnego

Abstract

Sexual crimes of clergy against minors constitute the most painful wound in the life of the Church today. This causes both enormous harm to children and young people and obscures the proclamation of the Gospel causing distrust not only towards all clergy, but also towards the Church’s mission in the world. For this reason, this causes should be fought with remarkable determination. To achieve this goal, legislation is needed, not only for efficient punishment of persons committing crimes against minors, but also for the protection of as many people as possible. The ecclesiastical legislator, both universal and particular, is aware of this, and since the entry into force of the Code of Canon Law, he regularly updates the norms, increasing the age of protection, equating the helpless with minors and extending the catalog of crimes with various external acts against the VI commandment of the Decalogue. The last legal act issued on this matter is the Apostolic Constitution of Pope Francis Vos estis lux mundi, which also penalizes the omissions or actions of church superiors in order to stop or obstruct proceedings against a clergyman or religious in connection with crimes contra sextum.

Keywords

• sexual crimes
• protection of minors
• church legislation