PHILIPPINES
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – A Filipino psychotherapist has been appointed to the Vatican’s child protection body, joining several others chosen from various parts of the world, including a British victim of pedophile priests.
The Philippines’ Dr Gabriel Dy-Liacco joins 7 new members of the Commission for the Protection of Minors who were chosen from 5 continents “to allow a broad representation of different situations and cultures,” the Vatican said on Wednesday, December 17.
The Holy See described Dy-Liacco as an “adult and adolescent psychotherapist and pastoral counsellor for various mental health concerns including of individuals, couples, families and groups, including victims and perpetrators of abuse.”
The commission of experts is tasked with advising Pope Francis on how to deal with a sex abuse scandal which rocked the Catholic Church in the 2000s.
Led by American cardinal Sean O’Malley, the body – set up a year ago – is now made up of 7 women and 9 men, from both the clerical and lay worlds, with new members hailing from Australia, Britain, Colombia, New Zealand, Philippines, South Africa, United States and Zambia.
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