Pope Francis establishes Commission on child protection

Cardinal O'Malley

Pope Francis is setting up a Commission on the protection of minors. Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley, archbishop of Boston and member of the Council of Cardinals, announced on Thursday afternoon, 5 December. The Cardinal read the following statement:

“Continuing decisively along the lines undertaken by Pope Benedict XVI, and accepting a proposal presented by the Council of Cardinals, the Holy Father has decided to establish a specific Commission for the protection of minors, with the aim of advising Pope Francis on the Holy See’s commitment to the protection of children and in pastoral care for victims of abuse. Specifically, the Commission will:

1. study present programmes in place for the protection of children.

2. formulate suggestions for new initiatives on the part of the Curia, in collaboration with bishops, Episcopal conferences, religious superiors and conferences of religious superiors.

3. indicate the names of persons suited to the systematic implementation of these new initiatives, including lay persons, religious and priests with responsibilities for the safety of children, in relations with the victims, in mental health, in the application of the law, etc.The composition and competences of the Commission will be indicated shortly, with more details from the Holy Father in an appropriate document.”

The current meeting of cardinals will conclude on Friday afternoon, 6 December, completing the review of the different Congregations of the Roman Curia initiated this week. The next round of meetings is scheduled for the 17, 18 and 19 February, preceding the Consistory of the College of Cardinals due to take place on the 20 and 21 of the same month, and the Consistory for the Creation of new cardinals on 22 February, Feast of the Chair of St Peter, and the solemn Concelebration of Sunday 23 February. In addition, the meeting of the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops is scheduled to take place in the days immediately afterwards on 24-25 February.

Source: Vatican Radio/VIS