Pope Francis issued a landmark decree on Thursday making bishops directly accountable for sexual abuse or covering it up, requiring clerics to report any cases to Church superiors and allowing anyone to complain directly to the Vatican if needed. But
the decree does not alter Vatican policy that clerics should follow
local law as to whether they are mandated to report alleged sexual abuse
to civil authorities.
https://globalnews.ca/news/5257835/pope-francis-catholic-church-report-sex-abuse/
https://globalnews.ca/news/5257835/pope-francis-catholic-church-report-sex-abuse/