Pope names Boston priest new sex crimes prosecutor

The Vatican announced today that the Rev. Robert W. Oliver, a canonical expert in the archdiocese,  of Boston, United States will be replacing Bishop Charles Scicluna, who was recently named auxiliary bishop to Malta as its new sex crimes prosecutor.

Scicluna's departure had sparked some fears among sex abuse victims that the Vatican might roll back on the tough line on clergy abuse he charted in his 10 years at the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith.

The Vatican office, which Pope Benedict XVI headed for nearly a quarter century, reviews all cases of clerical sex abuse, telling bishops how to proceed against accused priests.