Vos estis lux mundi

The letter was issued motu proprio, that is, on the pope’s own initiative, on 7 May 2019 and came into force on 1 June 2019, on trial for three years. An updated text of 25 March 2023 replaced it from 30 April 2023 and extended it to lay leaders of international associations of the faithful.

Title I contains general rules: what must be reported, the systems each diocese must set up to receive reports, and protection for those who report. Title II sets out how a report against a bishop or religious superior is to be investigated, normally by the metropolitan archbishop under the direction of the competent office in Rome. The text is the law itself; it does not show how it has been applied.