The Vatican announced yesterday that bishops who failed to protect children from abuse by priests would be subject to a new tribunal.
The new department was formed following the recommendation from the church's Commission for the Protection of Minors.
The proposals were contained in a report from Cardinal Seán Patrick O'Malley, presented to the Council of Cardinals.
It said a special new judicial section will be created inside the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith "to judge bishops with regard to crimes of the abuse of office when connected to the abuse of minors".
The Council of Cardinals agreed unanimously and they were submitted to Pope Francis.
That commission will also feature lay people, including Marie Collins - a survivor of clerical sex abuse.
Ms Collins now works at The Vatican on the protection of minors.
She told Newstalk Breakfast just getting it set up was the important thing.
