Tribunals a sham

Last week, U.S. Roman Catholic bishops announced their revised policy on sexual abuse by the clergy. Church leaders said they expect it to be ratified this week by bishops in Washington and passed on to the Vatican for approval.\nUnder the revised policy, priests are innocent until proven guilty and would be brought before church tribunals composed of priests trained in canon law. In accordance with canon law, these tribunals will not be public, and the accuser would likely not be allowed to attend. Victims would instead be represented by a priest designated as a "promoter of justice."\n This revised policy is a sad distortion of true due process and shows little respect to either the victims or U.S. laws. At no time has the Roman Catholic hierarchy promised to turn accusations of abuse over to law enforcement officials, instead offering victims promises of justice through the church, whose system of due process is simply a sham.\n Secret tribunals? Barring victims from attendance? Where are the necessary checks and balances for a system that has consistently covered up the abhorrent behavior of some of its priests? Allegations of child abuse are allegations of illegal behavior. No groups of priests trained under canon law are adequate to properly investigate these allegations. The Catholic Church simply cannot circumvent this nation's system of justice.\nToo many scenarios and too many questions exist under these policies that could allow for not only a cover-up of these crimes but also allow abusers to remain in the ministry. Members of the Catholic Church trust their ministry. Perhaps a victim, in loyalty and deference to the church, goes to a bishop and under counsel, decides to go through a church tribunal instead of going to the police. In secret proceedings, how can anyone, including the victim, be ensured of proper justice? How can we ensure these priests have all of the evidence or can mete out proper punishments? Will the Catholic Church only contact the authorities after their special "tribunal" has already determined clergy guilty? \nThe Catholic Church might be a self-governing body in many respects. But their so-called system of justice simply does not take precedence over the laws of the United States. To presume so not only betrays the victims of the abusers, but also mocks the members of their church and the people of the countries they inhabit.\n-- Erin Nave for the Editorial Board