Regarding the May 10 news article “Vatican issues decree requiring clergy to report allegations of sexual abuse”:
If a teacher sexually abused a child, the principal would remove the teacher and call the police. Why should we expect any less from a pope? Pope Francis needs to send a clear message to predators: “If you sexually abuse anyone in my church, you will be laicized, the police will be called, and we will cooperate fully in their investigation.” Until then, children and vulnerable adults will remain at risk.
As a society, we must not tolerate the protection of institutional reputations over the safety of children. That children are safe from sexual abuse in church is a very low bar to clear, and anything less is unacceptable.
Maureen Roden, Severna Park
The writer is a member of the board of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.