The sovereign pontiff received this Friday, April 29, the members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, asking them ” a new start to combat the scourge of child crime. This requires an increased power of this structure created eight years ago.
With our correspondent in the Vatican, Eric Senanque
Pope Fançois wishes to give more weight to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minorswhich he created in 2014. The new Apostolic Constitution, which governs the Vatican administration and which will come into force at the beginning of June, now gives him full status in the Roman Curia and should allow him to work in complete independence.
In receiving its members this Friday morning, the pope recalled that their work was necessary, not only to make the Church a place ” safe for children and their healing, but also totally reliable in promoting their rights around the world “.
The sovereign pontiff thus asked the Commission to submit to him an annual report on the measures taken in favor of the protection of minors and vulnerable adults. ” Such a report will be a factor of transparency and accountability “, he insisted.
Finally, Pope Francis asked this Commission to help episcopal conferences around the world to create centers where victims of sexual crimes can find ” a welcome and a listening ear and be accompanied on a path of healing and justice “.
