Cardinal Sean O'Malley, president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors issued a statement stressing the "moral and ethical responsibility" to report all suspected cases of sexual abuse to the civil authorities.

"The crimes and sins of the sexual abuse of children must not be kept secret for any longer. I pledge the zealous vigilance of the church to protect children and the promise of accountability for all," the cardinal said in a Feb. 15 statement, Vatican Radio reported.

The statement also stressed the commission's "extensive education efforts" within local churches over the past two years and reiterated the members’ willingness to provide this material at courses offered in Rome, "including to the annual training program for new bishops and to the offices of the Roman Curia for their use in their own child protection efforts."

Peter Saunders, a vocal critic of the church's handling of clergy sexual abuse cases, who was abused by two priests as a teen, was removed from the commission in early February.