ROME
International Business Times
[Peter Saunders statement – via BishopAccountability.org]
BY ISMAT SARAH MANGLA @ISMAT ON 02/06/16
UPDATE: 3:30 p.m. EST — Peter Saunders, the sexual abuse survivor the Vatican said was taking a leave of absence from a commision on sexual abuse, said Saturday he is not stepping down despite a no-confidence vote. Earlier in the day, the Vatican issued a statement saying “it was decided” Saunders would take a leave of absence.
Saunders, who was abused by two priests as a child, said only Pope Francis has the authority to dismiss him. He held a new conference to dismiss the commission’s announcement.
“I have not left and I am not leaving my position. … The only person who can remove me is the person who appointed me, the pope,” Saunders said.
He added that he did not know about his “leave of absence” until the Vatican issued its statement on Saturday. Saunders has been critical of the commission that he’s served on since 2014.
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