Pope Francis may be backsliding on paedophile crackdown

Sydney: An Australian Catholic official said Pope Francis may be “backsliding” in his crackdown on paedophile priests. Francis Sullivan, in charge of the Catholic Church’s Truth, Justice and Healing Council, told the Australian Associated Press that he feared the Vatican's “bureaucrats and courtiers were doing all they can to either undermine the Pope or driving an agenda” of protecting the institution.

In 2014 the Pope had told bishops around the world to adhere to a zero-tolerance policy for clergy who sexually abuse children. However, Francis has reportedly reduced sanctions against some offending priests, the Guardian reported.