Sexual Crimes Within The Catholic Church

There is only one way to deal with sexual offenses as inflicted by the clergy and others within the Catholic Church.

First, The Church must formally-and-fully give up the Medieval position that such persons are above or apart-from the civil law as applies to the other citizens of the nations in which they reside. (That Medieval position is also maintained and violently defended by public university officials and officers---To the extent that they, daily, violate what should be protected by The Bill Of Rights.)

As to accusations of sexual conduct in violation of the criminal code of such nations, the Church (ie
By its Bishops, other "employees" or even lay persons) must immediately report any credible claims of sexual or other crimes to the appropriate civil authorities (eg Police agency, prosecuting attorney).

"Credible" must include any complaint made upon oath/affirmation in a form as would allow prosecution for perjury or false-swearing if the complainant lies OR, for minors below the age of prosecution, a clear (Written or video-recorded) statement as to any crimes OR any other evidence as provides a reasonable claim of a crime.

The reporting person must: Retain copies of all such evidence; Save evidence of the secure provision of relevant materials to civil authorities; And, send that information and the fact of notice to civil authorities to the Holy See and the local Ordinary or international head of a concerned religious order.

Of course, The Church must retain its own responsibility to (But only after notice to civil authorities) investigate (ie Without interfering with the civil authorities' investigations) and, as appropriate, deal with such offenses under cannon law.

When a false accusation is made and is provable, The Church must: Publicly demand criminal prosecution of any such liars; Bring civil actions against such persons for real and punitive damages; And, if they are Catholic, move against them under cannon law. These actions must NOT be used as threats or even the hint-of-threats against any accusers.