Age of consent in Vatican City?

[lawtonfogle]

Seems to be 12.

Wiki link:
Ages of consent in Europe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
BBC link:
BBC - Will & Testament: Vatican opposes UN Declaration on decriminalisation of homosexuality

To be fair, I did find some blog/forum post where people claimed it was anywhere from 14 to 16, but they never sourced anything. Now, an unsorced BBC claim and a unsorced forum post are both unsourced (no duh), so does anyone have an actual source on the issue?

 

[Beechwell]

The German speaking web seems to agree on the 12 year limit. But that is also mostly newspapers and one subcommittee meeting transcript of the Austrian Parliament where it is only mentioned in passing (http://www.rklambda.at/dokumente/publikationen/Unterausschuss-Protokoll-1995.pdf).
Accoding to Nachrichten und aktuelle Informationen aus Politik, Wirtschaft, Sport und Kultur - WELT ONLINE (online site of German newspaper Die Welt), the regulation stems from old Italian law which the Vatikan adapted in 1929. Italy has since change the age to 14, while the Vatikan kept the old regulation. Maybe simply because it wasn't needed. I don't think there are all that many children live in Vatikan State, and I doubt any of them are Vatikan citizens (which is always a temporary honor). I don't know what happens if a Vatikan citizen has sex with a - say - Italian minor. Could this be handled after Italian law?

Also many European states have additional legislation regarding sexual conduct between adults and minors above the age of consent. If the relationship is exploitative or the minor in dependency of the adult, it may still be unlawful.
I don't know if the Vatikan has any such additional legislation, though.

It is noteworthy though, that the the probably most catholic states in Europe - the Vatikan and Malta - are also the ones with the lowest age of consent (both 12). And the very catholic Spain only recently changed it from 12 to 13 years.

 

[lawtonfogle]

The German speaking web seems to agree on the 12 year limit. But that is also mostly newspapers and one subcommittee meeting transcript of the Austrian Parliament where it is only mentioned in passing (http://www.rklambda.at/dokumente/publikationen/Unterausschuss-Protokoll-1995.pdf).
Accoding to Nachrichten und aktuelle Informationen aus Politik, Wirtschaft, Sport und Kultur - WELT ONLINE (online site of German newspaper Die Welt), the regulation stems from old Italian law which the Vatikan adapted in 1929. Italy has since change the age to 14, while the Vatikan kept the old regulation. Maybe simply because it wasn't needed. I don't think there are all that many children live in Vatikan State, and I doubt any of them are Vatikan citizens (which is always a temporary honor). I don't know what happens if a Vatikan citizen has sex with a - say - Italian minor. Could this be handled after Italian law?

Not without violating the Sovereignty of Vatican City. Now, if Vatican City willfully handed the person over, that is a different story, but we know how that goes... (not just the catholic church, look at France protecting Polanski).

Also many European states have additional legislation regarding sexual conduct between adults and minors above the age of consent. If the relationship is exploitative or the minor in dependency of the adult, it may still be unlawful.
I don't know if the Vatikan has any such additional legislation, though.

I have read if the adult is in a position of power over the child, then it the aoc is 15.

It is noteworthy though, that the the probably most catholic states in Europe - the Vatikan and Malta - are also the ones with the lowest age of consent (both 12).

Correlation, but is there causation?

And the very catholic Spain only recently changed it from 12 to 13 years.

Because there is SO MUCH difference between a 12 year old and a 13 year old in terms of maturity...

 

[Beechwell]

Not without violating the Sovereignty of Vatican City. Now, if Vatican City willfully handed the person over, that is a different story, but we know how that goes... (not just the catholic church, look at France protecting Polanski).

I can't remember where, but I read that Vatikan generally has its legal procedure handled by Italian courts, after Vatikan legislation. I assume the Vatikan doesn't even have its own court?
But you may be right, that a crime committed by a Vatikan citizen is always handled after Vatikan legislation.

I have read if the adult is in a position of power over the child, then it the aoc is 15.

In Vatikan? Wouldn't that be true for priests abusing altar boys?

It is noteworthy though, that the the probably most catholic states in Europe - the Vatikan and Malta - are also the ones with the lowest age of consent (both 12).

Correlation, but is there causation?

I don't know. If there is one, I assume that it may have to do with sticking to tradition rather than emracing more recent concepts like "age of consent". I don't think they have an unusual desire to shag 12 year olds.

Because there is SO MUCH difference between a 12 year old and a 13 year old in terms of maturity...

Probably not. But it shows that at least the issue is recognised. I couldn't really comment on it without knowing and understanding the whole legislation regarding underage sex.

 

[underpressure]

I'm a huge critic of the Vatican normally, but to be fair these laws were probably made years ago. It wouldn't be that unreasonably in the past to think that at around the time children go through puberty should be the legal age of consent.

 

[lawtonfogle]

I can't remember where, but I read that Vatikan generally has its legal procedure handled by Italian courts, after Vatikan legislation. I assume the Vatikan doesn't even have its own court?
But you may be right, that a crime committed by a Vatikan citizen is always handled after Vatikan legislation.


In Vatikan? Wouldn't that be true for priests abusing altar boys?

While I'm not 100% sure, I am guessing the age of consent only applies to heterosexual contact and homosexual contact is illegal.

 

[Beechwell]

While I'm not 100% sure, I am guessing the age of consent only applies to heterosexual contact and homosexual contact is illegal.

According to Wikipedia (I'm not going source-hunting on this) there is no legislation regarding homosexuality in Vatican city. So no, it isn't explicitly illegal.

 

[BotanicalBob]

IIRC, even the cousin bangers in Alabama wait until 14.