September 1, 2010. Germany's Catholic bishops have issued new rules on how to deal with cases of sexual abuse by priests. From now onwards the rules require that any case of suspected child abuse must be reported to the appropriate legal authorities. They will warn the police in any case, not only when the victims come forward requesting it.
The German guidelines apply to priests, religious and lay people who work for the Church.
Also, anyone involved the religious care of minors must submit a police certificate of good conduct.
The new rules are effective from now onwards and will be reviewed in three years.
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