VATICAN CITY
The Local

AFP

27 March 2017

A panel advising Pope Francis on child protection has called on the Vatican to react “directly and compassionately” to letters from victims of clerical sex abuse, reviving an issue that unleashed a storm just weeks ago.

The Pontifical Commission on the Protection of Minors made the recommendation after a weekend meeting.

It was the panel’s first meeting since Marie Collins, an Irish survivor of abuse, angrily quit after a similar request was turned down.

“The Commission discussed the importance of responding directly and compassionately to victims/survivors when they write to offices of the Holy See,” the panel said in a statement issued on Monday.

“Members agreed that acknowledging correspondence and giving a timely and personal response is one part of furthering transparency and healing.”