Staying true to his promise of zero tolerance towards sexual abuse in the clergy, Pope Francis has approved of an internal tribunal that will investigate and charge clerics who cover-up child sex abuse with "abuse of episcopal office," which would lead to their immediate dismissal under Canon Law.

The new legal unit will exist under the umbrella of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - a department founded to defend the Catholic Church from heresy - and will be headed by a senior official appointed by the pope himself. The tribunal will not conduct an investigation until after passing through three lower Vatican departments that deal with complaints against Bishops.

Prior to the new tribunal, bishops found guilty of covering up abuse cases were asked to resign by the Vatican, like what happened with Bishop Finn of Kansas City last April, but will now be stripped of their title.

The tribunal came at the recommendation of the Vatican's child protection commission, which includes victims previously abuse by priests, which also received endorsements from Cardinals closes abused by priests, which also received endorsements from Pope Francis's closest advisers.

However, Survivors Network of this Abused by Priests (SNAP), don't think the tribunal goes far enough, saying Clarence can't be relied upon to hold their fellow clergymen accountable.

"As long as clerks are in charge of dealing with other clerks who commit and concealed child sex crimes, little will change," said Barbara Blaine, president of SNAP. "Church officials should join us in reforming secular abuse laws so that clerks who were kids and hide predators will be criminally charged. If that happens, will be encouraged."