ROME -- The Vatican will come public with its position on the U.S. bishops' sexual abuse policy in October, according to The Associated Press.
The Vatican press office issued a statement declining comment Sept. 22 about a report that it would not legally approve the guidelines. The policy -- aimed at eradicating sex abuse among clergy -- was adopted in June at a Dallas meeting of U.S. bishops. Without the Vatican's approval, the bishops' policy is not considered binding.
The National Catholic Reporter, a liberal, U.S.-based publication, reported Sept. 21 that the Holy See has several problems with the guidelines. According to the newspaper, one of the Vatican's biggest concerns is that bishops, eager to show their flocks that they are vigilant, will take innocent priests away from parish work.
