VATICAN CTY
Vatican Radio

[with audio]

(Vatican Radio) The problems of sexual abuse and child protection have been back under the spotlight in the Vatican as the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors held its second plenary assembly. The meeting, from October 9th to 11th focused on formation of candidates for priesthood and religious life, the use of forensic assessments for people accused of sex abuse crimes and the use of liturgical support materials for the pastoral care of survivors.

One of the Commission members is Professor Gabriel Dy-Liacco, a psychotherapist and pastoral counsellor for mental health issues in the Philippines. He works closely with both survivors and perpetrators of sexual abuse and was involved in facilitating a recent Commission workshop on these issues for bishops in the Philippines. He told Philippa Hitchen that Church leaders in his country are determined to tackle the problems of child protection,…