While many canon law experts believe the norms in Vos Estis Lux Mundi represent a turning point in the church s efforts to hold bishops accountable, others believe much could be improved upon, including greater transparency on disclosing when investigations are taking place, the need to mandate the use of lay experts, and clarity on the status of bishops removed from office following an investigation. (Unsplash/Markus Winkler)
Two years ago this month, Pope Francis issued a sweeping new church law on bishop accountability, establishing a global system for investigation allegations against bishops of abuse or its cover-up.
Known as
Vos Estis Lux Mundi ( You Are the Light of the World ), the norms encourage but do not mandate the involvement of lay experts in the process of investigating allegations against bishops. When it was signed into law,