Commission for the Protection of Minors Archives

Vatican’s child protection office says it prevents, doesn’t investigate, abuse

Sep 10, 2018

Members of the Vatican’s commission for protecting young people in the Church have been listening to victims and survivors of abuse in Rome, while also pointing out they have no remit to investigate individual allegations of abuse.

By Charles Collins

Pope meets his advisory commission on child protection

Apr 23, 2018

In its efforts to help advise the pope, the Roman Curia, bishops’ conferences and local churches on protecting minors from abuse, a Vatican commission listened to abuse survivors from Great Britain and discussed the results of Australia’s public inquiry into its country’s institutional responses to abuse.

By Carol Glatz

Church expert: #Metoo, Chile bishop scandal a wake-up call

Feb 10, 2018

Jesuit Father Hans Zollner spoke at the graduation ceremony for students who have completed a course in safeguarding people from abuse held at the Jesuit-run Pontifical Gregorian University.

By Nicole Winfield

Rome conference fears Down syndrome may be in final generation

Oct 21, 2017

At a Rome conference focused on including people with disabilities in parish life, an engaging young woman is planning to tell Pope Francis that she worries she may be part of the final generation with Down syndrome, given the very high abortion rates for Down syndrome babies in countries with wide pre-natal screening programs.

By Inés San Martín

Abuse survivor calls for more accountability after Pope Francis promises “zero tolerance”

Sep 21, 2017

“The conscience of the Church arrived a little late” on sexual abuse, Pope Francis said during an audience at the Vatican, adding that sexual abuse is a “sickness” and that there will be no pardon for abusers who are found guilty. Abuse survivor Marie Collins praised the pope’s words, but stated that the ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy is “toothless” without accountability.

By Claire Giangravè

O’Malley says Vatican is committed to accountability on zero tolerance

Mar 27, 2017

Boston’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley, head of a Vatican commission advising Pope Francis on the fight against clerical sexual abuse, insists the Vatican remains committed to holding bishops accountable for enforcing zero tolerance, but concedes “we need to see how it’s going to work.”

By Inés San Martín