EDITORIAL

New Vatican law strengthens Church commitment to justice

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When the College of Cardinals voted to elect Pope Francis Supreme Pontiff on March 13, 2013, they entrusted him with the delicate task of reforming the Roman Curia. Francis pledged to reshape Vatican bureaucracy and clean up any seeds of corruption. Last week Francis issued a groundbreaking law to fulfill this noble charge. Cardinals and bishops are now permitted to stand trial before Vatican City State tribunals, largely made up of lay judges.
Although the new law does not alter the prescription that only the Pope can judge Cardinals in spiritual matters or due to violations of ecclesiastical discipline, it does allow them to be judged for violations of the Vatican’s civil law. In his letter promulgating the new provision, the Pope highlighted the equality common to all the faithful — regardless of ecclesiastical rank. This equality does not apply only to one’s dignity before God, but also to one’s responsibility to the common good. Francis’s reform is an important signal that all are equal before the law.
One must not confuse this judicial change with an ecclesiological shift, however. Repeatedly, Francis has warned against “clericalizing” the laity. Equality before the law does not signify degradation of the office of bishop or the dignity of the cardinals of the holy Roman Church. Bishops alone govern the flock entrusted to their care with the authority of Christ Himself. The Church transcends political classification. Francis’s new law strengthens the Church’s commitment to justice without compromising her divine constitution.