Vatican lays provisional procedures for sex abuse crimes

The letter laid out provisional procedures for sex abuse crimes committed by priests and gave bishops a year to deliberate the proposals.

"Sex abuse of minors is not just a canonical delict but also a crime prosecuted by civil law... (and) the prescriptions of civil law regarding the reporting of such crimes to the designated authority should always be followed," it said.

"The Guidelines seek to protect minors and to help victims in finding assistance and reconciliation," the letter added.

It said it was up to bishops to notify the authorities in the case of a suspected paedophile priest.

The letter was published in English, French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish, and urged bishops to ensure the Church gives "spiritual and psychological assistance" to victims and their families.

The guidelines "not only concern cases of abuse committed by clerics, but also those cases which involve religious or lay persons who function in ecclesiastical situations," it said.

The letter said the clergy should be “helped to recognise the potential signs of abuse” and those suspected of paedophilia should be suspended until the accusation is clarified.