Leading abuse campaigner in England and Wales appointed to papal commission, by Christopher Lamb, Tablet (December 17, 2014)

A leading campaigner against sexual abuse in England and Wales has been appointed to the Vatican commission for the protection of children.

Peter Saunders, Chief Executive of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac), is himself a victim of abuse.

Earlier this year he met Pope Francis in the Vatican where he urged him to provide practical steps to help abuse survivors.

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors was set up in March and includes Baroness (Sheila) Hollins, and Marie Collins, an Irish abuse survivor and campaigner.

On 17 December the Vatican announced new members of the commission which, along with Mr Saunders, included Bill Kilgallon, former Chairman of the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission of England and Wales. Mr Kilgallon, who now lives in New Zealand, was among those safeguarding advisors who met with Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Britain in 2010.

Among the others appointed include include Kathleen McCormack, an Australian social welfare worker, Sister Hermenegild Makoro, secretary general of the South African bishops' conference and Sister Kayula Gerturde, a child protection trainer in Zambia.

Cardinal Seán O'MALLEY, OFM Cap., president
Mons. Robert OLIVER (United States), secretary
Rev. Luis Manuel ALI HERRERA (Colombia)
Dr. Catherine BONNET (France)
Marie COLLINS (Ireland)
Dr. Gabriel DY-LIACCO (Philippines)
Prof. Sheila the Baroness HOLLINS (England)
Bill KILGALLON (New Zealand)
Sr. Kayula Gertrude LESA, RSC (Zambia)
Sr. Hermenegild MAKORO, CPS (South Africa)
Kathleen McCORMACK AM (Australia)
Dr. Claudio PAPALE (Italy) Peter SAUNDERS (England)
Hon. Hanna SUCHOCKA (Poland)
Dr. Krysten WINTER-GREEN (United States)
Rev. Dr. Humberto Miguel YÁÑEZ, SJ (Argentina)
Rev. Dr. Hans ZOLLNER, SJ (Germany)