Pope's ex-sex crimes prosecutor, now Malta bishop, kept on as member of Vatican congregation

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican's former sex crimes prosecutor, who was recently named a bishop in Malta, is keeping his foot in his old office.

The pope on Saturday named Bishop Charles Scicluna a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Scicluna had been based at the congregation as its chief prosecutor, or promoter of justice, investigating clerical sex abuse cases around the globe.

In his 10 years on the job, Scicluna earned the respect of victims and even some of the Vatican's toughest critics for his hard line against pedophile priests.

As a member of the congregation, Scicluna will sit alongside the two dozen cardinals and handful of bishops who judge the abuse cases that come before the office.