Updated at 3:30 p.m. EST to add reaction roundup links.

The Vatican has issued its revised church guidelines, clarifying how clergy abuse should be handled (along with other forbidden acts, such as ordaining women).

Based on the Associated Press, The New York Times, On Faith, and a few other outlets I’ve checked this morning, the guidelines are a step in the right direction, but as expected, victims and their advocates say they don’t go far enough — particularly since there’s still no codified requirement for bishops to report abuse to the police. Some also take exception to including female priests in the same category as pedophile priests, at least in terms of crimes “against the sacraments.”

Here are some links to reactions in media outlets and the blogosphere:

• Vatican statement ignites protest (The Seeker, Chicago Tribune)
• More on the new guidelines at the Vatican (CNN Belief Blog)
• SNAP response to new Vatican guidelines (Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests)
• Fr. Lombardi explains newly published norms on sex abuse, serious sins (Catholic News Agency)
• Top U.N. official slams Vatican over child abuse (CNN Belief Blog) 
• Vatican says new norms will strengthen efforts against abusive priests (Catholic News Service)

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.

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