Campaigner Marie Collins ‘honoured’ to be named ‘Catholic of the Year’

Abuse survivor lauded for “outstanding” leadership

Irish abuse survivor Marie Collins has said she is “honoured” to be named as one of the ‘Catholics of the Year’ by a prestigious US newspaper.

Our Sunday Visitor, which is published weekly, named Mrs Collins alongside seven prominent Catholics including Archbishop of Boston, Cardinal Sean O’Malley and Archbishop Emeritus of Chicago, Cardinal Francis George.

Lauding Mrs Collins for her “outstanding” leadership and contribution to the Church and society throughout the year, Our Sunday Visitor said the Irish woman had been an “inspiration to others in the Catholic community and beyond”.

Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Mrs Collins said she “really appreciated the gesture”.

“I was not expecting to be picked out, but I am honoured to be chosen. I hope I can live up to it,” she said.

Mrs Collins, who was named in March as a member of the Pope’s newly established body set to prioritise his drive to safeguard children in the Church, said the nomination was an “indication” that her work to ensure the safety and protection of children was being taken seriously.

“It’s quite a distance from when I was looked on as somebody who wanted to damage the Church. All I have done down through the years has been for the good of the Church. My intention was always to improve the Church for the future,” she said.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis has named nine new members to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, of which Mrs Collins is a member, thus completing its composition.

Mrs Collins said she was “delighted” the Pope had appointed Peter Saunders, a male abuse survivor, to the commission.

Mr Saunders, who was abused throughout his childhood in London, England, set up the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC), for supporting all survivors and for developing greater resources for responding to child abuse.

“It’s very important to have a male survivor’s voice heard. Peter is a very strong advocate and will be a great asset to the work of the commission,” she said.