(MENAFN) In an effort to prevent sexual abuse by clergymen, the French Catholic Church has announced a new system that will require all bishops, priests, and deacons to carry ID cards with QR codes. The Bishops' Conference of France (CEF) unveiled the system on Wednesday, which is designed to supplement the current paper documents used by the church.
The QR code on the ID cards can be scanned by anyone, and will provide color-coded information about the clergyman. A green code will indicate that the cleric is authorized to lead mass, hear confessions, and perform other sacraments without any restrictions. An orange code will signify that the priest's powers are limited due to sanctions or a lack of proper experience.
In cases where a clergyman has been stripped of their clerical status for any reason, they will be listed in the database under red. The database will be updated once a year, or immediately in cases of serious misconduct.
The new system is aimed at protecting worshippers from sexual abuse by clergymen, which has been a longstanding issue within the Catholic Church. The use of ID cards with QR codes is seen as a supplement to the current paper documents used by the church, and is expected to provide more transparency and accountability for the actions of clergymen.
While the new system has been applauded by many as a step in the right direction, some critics have raised concerns about the potential for abuse of the system. It remains to be seen how effective the new system will be in preventing sexual abuse by clergymen, and whether it will be adopted by other Catholic Churches around the world.
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