The age of consent. 18 in most states. Earlier than that, it’s statutory rape. After that, it’s actions between consenting adults.
I suggest using the terms “abuser” or “predator”. Both describe the activities and avoid technicalities, which is what some posters appear to be relying on.
The bishop(s) of the diocese of Oakland CA wanted Kiesle laicized. Apparently the tribunal responsible for this is the CDF, seeing the gravity of what laicization involves. The CDF did not respond. The bishop(s) kept asking. Four years after the first ‘request’, the CDF responds–and two years* later* (apparently) the laicization goes through.
One would think that the CDF, or whoever was in charge of laicization, would have wanted laicization to proceed in a timely fashion, that is, ASAP. Kiesle was a convicted sex abuser, and still is a* registered sex offender* in the state of CA.
The delay appears to be because of the damage to Mother Church, according to Ratzinger’s letter.