Vatican vetoes American Church rules

The Catholic Church controversy has hit a new snag. The Vatican has rejected part of the policy adoped by U.S bishops last June in Dallas.<br><br>Church leaders say some items in the policy go against

Saturday, October 19th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Catholic Church controversy has hit a new snag. The Vatican has rejected part of the policy adoped by U.S bishops last June in Dallas.

Church leaders say some items in the policy go against Cannon Law.

News on Six Reporter Patrina Adger spoke to Tulsa"s Catholic leaders for details about what the decision means to the local churches.

Members of the catholic church say the charter needs to be more clear to ensure children in the Catholic church are protected.
Dr. Edward Maillet of St. Mary's Catholic Church, "Certain aspects of the charter are being reviewed by a meeting with bishops."

Maillet says he supports the Vatican's decision to send bishops back to the drawing board to iron out details surrounding the charter involving sexual abuse in the church.

"There are some concerns that it in some way be inconsistent with Canon Law and they want to discuss with the American bishop those concerns to see if there's need for change."

At their conference in June, U.S. bishops adopted the charter which fell short of the "zero tolerance" policy some wanted

The Vatican spelled out its objections to the charter in a two-page letter saying some of the language used in the charter is "too vague" including the definition of "sexual abuse," which the charter defines very broadly.

Bishop Edward Slattery: Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa says, "It's important to define terms if you talk about sex abuse. What exactly do you mean."

Slattery says the charter requires any charge of sexual abuse to be reported to police, then to the diocese a policy he says he follows.

"The charter is already written the issue now is to protect the rights of children as a priority and at the same time protect the rights of any priest who may have been accused falsely and is no longer a danger to children."

Slattery says four Bishops from the Vatican and four from the U.S. will form the "Mixed Commission".

He says the group will meet in November to review the policy dealing with priests accused of sexual abuse.

Maillet says, "And out of that review perhaps some recommendation of some modifications. I predict there will be some change."

Bishop Slattery says the local Catholic Diocese is working on programs that teach church workers and members what the church considers to be sexual abuse.