The «motu proprio» «vos Estis Lux Mundi»: Contents and Relationship with other Norms of the Current Canon Law

Abstract

The m. p. Vos estis lux mundi (May 2019) prescribes canonical obligations related to informing Church authorities about sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable people, as well as behaviors related to child pornography, which are carried out by clergy (including Cardinals, Bishops and Legacies) and religious; and also about government actions in the Church that elude or interfere with the investigation of these facts. In regard to the final answer given to them, it refers rather to what is already available in the law of the Church for each case, but just the obligatory nature of the information is already an important step. The text may require some clarification about the treatment that should receive some of the facts and behaviors that it collects, and we will have to establish a relationship with state legislation regarding information obligations.