"Clergy abuse survivors demand 'zero tolerance' law after controversial Vatican appointment"

Clergy abuse survivors have proposed a new church law calling for the permanent removal of abusive priests and superiors who covered for them, following outrage over Pope Francis' appointment of Cardinal Victor Fernández to head the Vatican office that investigates sex crimes. The survivors, part of the global advocacy group End Clergy Abuse, unveiled the draft law and are seeking to draw attention to the ongoing scandal in the Catholic Church and the failure of Francis and the hierarchy to fulfill their promises of "zero tolerance" for abuse. Fernández has faced criticism for his handling of abuse cases in Argentina, including refusing to promptly remove a priest accused of abusing teens. The proposed law calls for the dismissal of priests who commit sexual offenses against minors or vulnerable adults and the removal of bishops or religious superiors who fail to report sex crimes to law enforcement.