VATICAN CITY
BBC News
[Peter Saunders statement – via BishopAccountability.org]
An outspoken British member of a Roman Catholic commission on sexual abuse has refused to quit, saying his treatment by the Vatican is “outrageous”.
Peter Saunders, who as a child was abused by priests, said he would stay and only discuss his position with the Pope – the man who appointed him.
The commission earlier voted for Mr Saunders to “take a leave of absence”, saying he was difficult to work with.
Mr Saunders has been highly critical of the commission, set up in 2014.
‘Disgrace’
Responding to a Vatican statement about his leave of absence, Mr Saunders was quoted by Reuters as saying in Rome: “I was never told in advance of any such statement.
“I find it outrageous that I was not told, much less that the statement occurred before I had had any time to reflect on what I might do next.
“I have not left and I’m not leaving my position on the commission. I was appointed by His Holiness Pope Francis and I will only talk to him about my position.”
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