The Vatican addressed bishops all over the world on Monday and told them to cooperate with police officers and report priests who molest and rape children. Also, they were asked to come-up with guidelines on how to prevent sex abuse within a year.

The victims were quick to denounce Vatican’s recommendations as the letter from the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith (representing Catholic leaders) had no provision to make certain that bishops follow the guidelines. The victims’ groups further emphasized that the recommendations are flawed because they provide exclusive authority among bishops to determine if the abuse allegations are credible or not.

The letter, however, is a clear indication of the Vatican to show people that it is extremely serious about eliminating pedophiles among its priests. About a year ago, a sex abuse scandal plagued the Catholic Church as it exploded internationally. Now, new victims and witnesses are coming forward.

Advocates of child and sex abuse victims are nowhere near being impressed with the Vatican’s vague recommendations. They are still accusing bishops of covering for their priests; merely moving them from one parish to another instead of reporting them to the police. The recommendations do not make them feel better, said Barbara Dorris, an outreach director of the Survivors Network for Those Abused by Priests.

In Ireland, for example, the National Board for Safeguarding Children – an independent party overseeing compliance with the guidelines of Ireland – said that they were prevented from reviewing Diocesan responses to cases of abuse. The board said in its annual report that bishops mounted questions of legality regarding priests’ privacy.