(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/130405-pope-8a.photoblog600.jpg)Franco Origlia / Getty ImagesPope Francis said that the church must "act decisively" to stop child intercourseual abuse by priests.By Philip Pullella, ReutersVATICAN CITY – Pope Francis wants the Catholic Church to "act decisively" to root out intercourseual abuse of children by priests and ensure the perpetrators are punished, the Vatican said on Friday.
Francis, in a meeting with the Holy See's doctrinal chief, Archbishop Gerhard Muller, had declared that combating intercourseual abuse was important "for the Church and its credibility", a statement said.
Francis inherited a Church mired in problems and a major scandal over priestly abuse of children. It was believed to be the first time Francis had taken up the issue of intercourse abuse with a senior member of his staff since his election on March 13.Slideshow: Pope Francis: His life before the papacy (http://slideshow.nbcnews.com/id/51167130/displaymode/1247/?wbSlideShowId=51167130&wbSection=news&wbSlideShowTeaseId=51167544)(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-130313-pope-bergoglio-bio/ss-130313-bergoglio-bio-tease.380;380;7;70;0.jpg) (http://slideshow.nbcnews.com/id/51167130/displaymode/1247/?wbSlideShowId=51167130&wbSection=news&wbSlideShowTeaseId=51167544)Marcos Brindicci / ReutersCardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina was elected to lead the Catholic Church following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Launch slideshowMuller is head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican department which includes the office of the "promoter of justice", or intercourse crimes prosecutor, which investigates cases of intercourseual abuse and decides if priests are to be defrocked.
Francis said the department should continue to "act decisively as far as cases of intercourseual abuse are concerned, promoting, above all, measures to protect minors, help for those who have suffered such violence in the past [and] the necessary procedures against those who are guilty," a statement said.
It said the pope wanted Catholic bishops around the world to promote and put into place "directives in this matter which is so important for the witness of the Church and its credibility."
The Catholic Church's crisis began in Boston in 2002 when media began reporting how cases of abuse were systematically covered up and abusive priests shuttled from parish to parish instead of being defrocked and handed over to civil authorities.
Since then, the Catholic Church in many countries has set up new guidelines to deal with cases of past abuse, prevent new cases, report abuse to police, and stop potential abusers from entering the priesthood in the first place.
But victims groups say there is much still to be discovered about how the Church behaved in the past and want more bishops who were aware of abuse to be held responsible.Slideshow: The election of Pope Francis (http://slideshow.nbcnews.com/id/51147164/displaymode/1247/?wbSlideShowId=51147164&wbSection=news&wbSlideShowTeaseId=51147215)(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-130312-electing-pope/ss-130319-pope-election-tease.photoblog600.jpg) (http://slideshow.nbcnews.com/id/51147164/displaymode/1247/?wbSlideShowId=51147164&wbSection=news&wbSlideShowTeaseId=51147215) / Cardinals from around the world gathered in the Vatican to elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.Launch slideshowRelated:
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This story was originally published on Fri Apr 5, 2013 8:28 AM EDT
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