The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding amid renewed scrutiny over clerical sexual abuse.
It also clarified that Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle holds no disciplinary authority over dioceses in the country.
In a statement dated May 2, the CBCP expressed “profound sorrow and solidarity with all victims and survivors of sexual abuse, especially those harmed by members of the clergy,” and pledged continued efforts toward “healing, justice, and renewal.”
The statement follows criticism from watchdog group BishopAccountability.org, which questioned Tagle’s suitability to lead the global Church just days before the opening of a conclave to elect the next pope.
Tagle, who served as Archbishop of Manila from 2011 to 2019, is widely seen as one of the frontrunners to succeed Pope Francis.
In its statement, the CBCP said that “since his appointment to a full-time position in the Roman Curia, Cardinal Tagle no longer holds direct authority over any diocese in the Philippines,” adding, “consequently, he is not involved in the governance or disciplinary matters of Philippine dioceses.”
The bishops highlighted Tagle’s involvement in the development of the Pastoral Guidelines on Sexual Abuses and Misconduct by the Clergy, which were circulated in 2003.
“He has consistently advocated for a humble and responsive Church that listens to the cries of the wounded and acts decisively to protect the vulnerable,” the CBCP said.
However, Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, said the guidelines were not published on the websites of either the Archdiocese of Manila or the CBCP.
“If Cardinal Tagle cannot even get his brother bishops from his home country to publish guidelines, what on earth can we expect for him to achieve as pope of a global church?” Doyle said in comments reported by Agence France-Presse.
The CBCP emphasized that, under Canon Law, “diocesan bishops bear the primary responsibility for addressing allegations of sexual abuse by clergy incardinated in their dioceses,” while religious superiors are responsible for their own members.
It also clarified that Filipino priests serving abroad fall under the jurisdiction of the bishops where they are incardinated, and that coordination is expected if such clergy return to the Philippines.
To strengthen accountability measures, the CBCP said it established the Office for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons, headed by Archbishop Florentino Lavarias, and mandated each diocese to establish its own safeguarding office.
“We continue to seek guidance from the Holy See and collaborate with civil authorities to ensure that justice is served and that the Church becomes a beacon of hope and safety for all,” the bishops said.
