Pope allows Vatican courts to try cardinals and bishops

ROME: Pope Francis on Friday gave the Vatican’s civilian courts the power to try cardinals and bishops -- a historic reform that ends a long-held privilege for senior church officials.

Until now, cardinals and bishops accused of criminal offences could only be judged by a supreme court consisting of three cardinals, aided by two or more lay judges. Under the new system, valid from May 1, they will instead be tried by the Vatican’s regular criminal court system, staffed by civilian judges, rather than ordained priests.

The change stems from the "overriding need" to "ensure the equality of all members of the Church and their equal dignity and position, without privileges that date back to earlier times", Francis said in a "Motu Proprio" decree.