Modifications to the Norms for the handling of Serious Crimes

His Holiness, Pope Francis, in the Audience granted to the undersigned Cardinal Secretary of State and the undersigned Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on 4 October 2019, has decided to introduce the following amendments to the Normae de gravioribus delictis (Norms for more serious crimes) reserved to the judgement of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in accordance with the Motu proprio of Saint John Paul II Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela (30 April 2001), as amended by the Rescriptum ex Audientia SS.mi dated 21 May 2010 and signed by the then-Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal William Levada:

Article 1

Art. 6 § 1, 2° Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela is replaced in its entirety by the following text:

The acquisition, possession or distribution by a cleric of pornographic images of minors under the age of eighteen, for purposes of sexual gratification, by whatever means or using whatever technology.

Article 2

§ 1 – Art. 13 Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela is replaced in its entirety by the following text:

The role of Advocate or Procurator is carried out by a member of the faithful possessing a doctorate in canon law, who is approved by the presiding judge of the college.

§ 2 – Art. 14 Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela is replaced in its entirety by the following text:

In other Tribunals, for the cases under these norms, only priests can validly carry out the functions of Judge, Promoter of Justice and Notary.

The Holy Father has ordered that the present Rescriptum be published in L’Osservatore Romano and in Acta Apostolicae Sedis, and take effect on 1 January 2020.

From the Vatican
3 December 2019

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
Secretary of State

CARDINAL LUIS FRANCISCO LADARIA
Prefect of the Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith