UNITED KINGDOM
The Guardian
Sandra Laville
Wednesday 17 December 2014
A British survivor of child sexual abuse who set up a charity to help other victims has been appointed by Pope Francis to his new commission to protect children and help people who have been abused.
Peter Saunders, 57, was telephoned by Cardinal Seán O’Malley and asked if he would consider joining the commission, which will report directly to Pope Francis. Saunders – who was abused as a child for more than five years by two priests, a teacher and a member of his family – said he agreed immediately. The invitation came six months after Saunders had a private meeting with the pope, which he said involved a no-limits discussion.
“I have been a thorn in the side of the Catholic church for some years. When I was called to see if I
“When I met him in July and started conversing with him, I told him the church needed to get its act together, that it needed to support survivors and to do more to protect children. I said to the pope I would be coming back to see him, but I never dreamed I would be invited back to join his commission.”
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