RESIGNATION FROM THE PONTIFICAL COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORS

Marie Collins
March 1, 2017

http://www.mariecollins.net/news.html

I sent my letter of resignation (copied to Cardinal O’Malley), from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, to Pope Francis on the 9th February 2017 to have effect from 1st March 2017.
 
Since the beginning of the Commission in March 2014 I have been impressed with the dedication of my colleagues and the genuine wish by Pope Francis for assistance in dealing with the issue of clerical sexual abuse.  I believe the setting up of the Commission, the bringing in of outside expertise to advise him on what was necessary to make minors safer, was a sincere move.
 
However, despite the Holy Father approving all the recommendations made to him by the Commission, there have been constant setbacks. This has been directly due to the resistance by some members of the Vatican Curia to the work of the Commission.  The lack of co-operation, particularly by the dicastery most closely involved in dealing with cases of abuse, has been shameful.
 
Late last year a simple recommendation, approved by Pope Francis, went to this dicastery in regard to a small change of procedure in the context of care for victims/survivors. In January I learned the change was refused.   At the same time a request for co-operation on a fundamental issue of Commission work in regard to safeguarding was also refused.  While I hope the Commission will succeed in overcoming this resistance, for me it is the last straw.
Cardinal Sean O’Malley has invited me to continue to be part of training projects including those for the Curia and new bishops and I am happy to accept.  This will be the area on which I will now concentrate.
 
I wish my colleagues on the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors the very best for the future.
 
Marie Collins
1st March 2017