Pascite gregem Dei (Promulgation of CIC Book VI)

Some Novelties in the Revised Book VI of CIC:

The law recognizes that adults, not only children, can be victimized by priests who abuse their authority.
The changes have been made to close loopholes that allowed clerics to ignore or cover up abuse within their ranks.
The revisions also say that lay people holding church positions, such as school principals or parish economists, can be punished for abusing minors as well as adults.
The Vatican also criminalized priests “grooming” minors or vulnerable adults to compel them to engage in pornography – the update is the first time church law has officially recognized as criminal the method used by sexual predators to build relationships with victims they have targeted for sexual exploitation.
The new law also removes much of the discretion that long allowed bishops and religious superiors to ignore or cover up abuse, making clear that those in positions of authority will be held responsible if they fail to properly investigate or sanction predator priests.
A bishop can be removed from office for “culpable negligence” or if he does not report sex crimes to church authorities, although the canon law foresees no punishment for failing to report suspected crimes to police.