An international group of bishops, nuns, priests and lay people have written to Pope Francis calling for reform.

They have specifically called for an end to anonymous denunciations.

Many of the letter's signatories have been the subjects of investigations by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and some have subsequently lost their positions.

The 15 signatories include Australian Bishop Patrick Power, theologian Fr Charles Curran and Irish Redemptorist Fr Tony Flannery.

The letter was also sent to CDF prefect Cardinal Gerhard Muller.

The signatories argue as the CDF acts as "investigator, accuser, judge and jury" the process cannot offer justice

They state that the procedures are characterised often by a lack of adequate defence or possibility of appeal.

The writers state that current norms are outdated and follow a model based on "the absolutism of sixteenth and seventeenth century Europe".

The letter-writers propose propose eight principles that should be followed in any Vatican investigation of a theologian.

They centre on requests for an open process, marked by opportunities for theologians to respond to allegations made against them.

The writers' also mention that often in investigations a theologian's work is taken out of context and call for involvement of those being investigated "from the beginning" to help clarify any issues immediately.

The signatories also propose a new procedure for investigations, moving final responsibility for the matter to the Vatican's office for the Synod of Bishops.

They envision that such a procedure would take place in two steps: First, with a limited investigation at the doctrinal office; and then, if necessary, through a seven-member expert committee set up by the synod office.

Four of the committee members would be appointed by the Vatican; three by the theologian in question.

Within six months of the start of the investigation, they suggest that the committee would outline a "process of reconciliation" between the theologian and the universal Church.

The letter was sent in March, but thus far there has been no formal notice of receipt by the Vatican.

Sources

• National Catholic Reporter
• The Tablet
• Image: Courier Mail

Fr Frank Brennan, SJ, writing for the ABC, noted how this is in stark contrast to how the commission lambasted Cardinal George Pell's handling of the case of abuse victim John Ellis.

This month, the commission produced a report on the case of Gerard Byrnes, who abused girls when he was a teacher in a Toowoomba Catholic school.

In 2010, Byrnes was sentenced to 10 years jail after he pleaded guilty to 44 child sexual abuse offences against 13 girls, who were then aged between eight and 10 years.

After Byrnes was arrested, Bishop Morris sacked a principal and two education officers, who knew about the allegations, but did not tell police.

The commission's report found fault with the way the school and diocesan education office responded to the offending.

But when Bishop Morris found out about the offending and the responses, the bishop acted "appropriately", the commission found.

Bishop Morris commissioned an independent investigation and appointed an independent mediator to assess and advise on reparations.

He also established a Child Abuse Response Team to advise on improvements to child protection.

The commission noted Bishop Morris acted to help ensure "that each victim received fair compensation for what had happened to them".

Bishop Morris "felt that it was important that the matter be dealt with quickly and fairly so as to avoid any further suffering which might be caused by a lengthy and difficult legal process".

Fr Brennan said the contrasting findings between the way Cardinal Pell and Bishop Morris handled these cases, "highlight the tragedy that such a pastoral bishop and decent man as William Morris could be sacked by Pope Benedict XVI [in 2011] for failing in his duties as a bishop".

In a recent book, Bishop Morris said he personally told Pope Benedict of a sex abuse case at a Toowoomba school.

But the Pope dismissed the bishop's request to remain at his post to deal with it.

Cardinal Pell apologised to Mr Ellis at a commission hearing.

Sources

• ABC
• RCIRCSA
• Canberra Times
• Brisbane Courier Mail
• Image: Brisbane Courier Mail