Vatican prohibits the dissemination of accusations against deceased people

The Dicasteria for the legislative texts of the Vatican has shielded, through a document, the protection of the reputation of the deceased (bona fama defuncti) Within the framework of Canon Law, by establishing that the dissemination of accusations against already deceased is not legitimate or compatible with the legal principles of the Catholic Church.

In the text, dated September 5, 2024, but published on February 22, 2025, it emphasizes that the Canon Law Code prohibits defamation and cursing.

However, ecclesiastical law includes exceptions in cases where there is a real danger to the community.

The document, signed by the prefect of Dicastery, Cardinal Filippo Iannone, and his secretary, the Spanish Mons. Juan Ignacio Arrieta, is a legal response issued following a consultation on this issue.

The prelates of the Vatican highlight two fundamental principles of canon law: first, the right to the presumption of innocence, which is maintained until there is a final judicial evidence (can. 1321 §1); And, secondly, that of the non -retroactivity of the crime, which prevents judging or accusing someone for actions that were not considered crimes at the time.

In canon law, this principle is collected in canons 9, 18 and 1313, which establish that criminal norms only have application for the future and cannot be applied retroactively.

The document also mentions that the publication of lists of accused in an ecclesiastical process before a definitive conviction is contrary to the legislative changes introduced by Pope Francis.

In fact, in the text a pronouncement of the Pontiff in 2019 is cited, during the meeting on the protection of minors in the Church, in which he affirmed that the dioceses should not make public the names of accused without being a final sentence.