VATICAN CITY
The Guardian
Agence France-Presse in Vatican City
Thursday 5 February 2015
Pope Francis has sent Catholic clergy a powerful reminder of their duty to stamp out sexual abuse of children by priests, warning that they must never let a fear of scandal lead to cover-ups.
In a strongly worded letter to the heads of national bishops’ conferences and religious orders, Francis demanded “close and complete” cooperation with a new child protection commission he has established at the Vatican.
The commission has been given a brief to drive reform on an issue that has severely damaged the church’s authority and reputation in many countries around the world.
Headed by the American cardinal Sean O’Mally, it includes both clerics and lay people, including two victims of paedophile priests, Marie Collins from Ireland and Peter Sanders from Britain. All 16 members, nine men and seven women, will meet for the first time in Rome on Friday.
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