July 7, 2010. Soon the Vatican will publish new rules to handle sex abuse. The revisions are largely a matter of consolidating norms that have been in place for several years. However, there are some new things.

The possession of child pornography by a priest will become a felony and bishops should immediately inform Rome of the crime. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith can even decide to immediately remove a priest.

Pope Benedict is due to visit Britain in September. It is the first papal visit to the UK since 1982 and comes at a time when the worldwide reputation of the Catholic Church has been battered by revelations of child sex abuse by priests and allegations of institutional cover up.

A nationwide manhunt for Anthony Novellino, who was considered a "person of interest" in the death of his ex-wife Judith Novellino, ended last week in Washington State, according to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

The pope has sent a message of solidarity to Belgian bishops about police raids of church offices last week, which he calls "surprising and deplorable." Police detained bishops for nine hours as they searched two Church offices and the home of former archbishop Godfried Danneels.

Benedict XVI also asks for respect for alleged victims' rights. Belgian authorities have sequestered statements from a number of victims who hadn't gone to police; some victims previously had worked on condition of anonymity with a Church commission.

Pope Benedict XVI has turned down BBC offer to appear on Thought for the Day. Tim Walker.

Disqus June 25, 2010 Priest wrote of forgiveness before surprise resignation HAVERHILL - One week before the Rev.