VATICAN CITY
Vatican Insider
Among the issues addressed by the Commission’s work group were: pastoral care for victims, guidelines in best practice and norms governing allegations of abuse
IACOPO SCARAMUZZI
VATICAN CITY
The Vatican Commission for the Protection of Minors which held its first meeting with all members present from Friday to Sunday in the Vatican, “is keenly aware that the issue of accountability is of major importance.” This was communicated in a statement dated February 8th and issued today by the Holy See newsroom. It comes after members of the body – created by Pope Francis in December 2013 and led by Boston’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley – expressed the need for suitable punishments for bishops who neglect or cover up accusations made against priests who commit sex abuse in their dioceses. They did so during a briefing held Saturday. In its Assembly, members agreed on an initial proposal to submit to Pope Francis for consideration.
The Assembly, which was held in recent days, “was the first opportunity for all 17 members of the recently expanded Commission to come together and share their progress in the task entrusted them by the Holy Father, namely to advise Pope Francis in the safeguarding and protection of minors in the Church.” Aside from President Cardinal Seán O’Malley and the new secretary Mgr. Robert Oliver all other members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors – both those that were appointed right at the beginning and those who were added last December in order to have representatives from all continents and of all sensibilities – were also present: Rev. Luis Manuel Ali Herrera (Colombia); Catherine Bonnet (France); Marie Collins (Ireland); Gabriel Dy-Liacco (Philippines); Sheila Hollins (England); Bill Kilgallon (New Zealand); Sr. Kayula Lesa, MSC (Zambia); Sr. Hermenegild Makoro, CPS (Zimbabwe); Kathleen McCormack (Australia); Claudio Papale (Italy); Peter Saunders (England); Hanna Suchocka (Poland); Krysten Winter-Green (United States); Rev. Humberto Miguel YÁÑEZ, SJ (Argentina) and Rev. Hans Zolliner, SJ (Germany).
The statement reads: “During the meetings, members presented reports from their Working Groups of experts, developed over the past year. The Commission then completed their recommendations regarding the formal structure of the Commission and agreed upon several proposals to submit to the Holy Father for consideration. The Working Groups are an integral part of the Commission’s working structure. Between Plenary Sessions, these groups bring forward research and projects in areas that are central to the mission of making the Church ‘a safe home’ for children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults. These include: pastoral care for survivors and their families, education, guidelines in best practice, formation to the priesthood and religious life, ecclesial and civil norms governing allegations of abuse, and the accountability of people in positions of responsibility within the Church when dealing with allegations of abuse. The Commission, the statement reads, “is keenly aware that the issue of accountability is of major importance.” In its Assembly, members agreed on an initial proposal to submit to Pope Francis for consideration. Moreover, the Commission is developing processes to ensure accountability for everyone in the Church – clergy, religious, and laity – who work with minors.”
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