Greg DalyThe decision to involve the Vatican’s child protection commission in training new bishops is very welcome, child abuse survivor Marie Collins has said.
Mrs Collins, in Rome for a plenary assembly of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, told The Irish Catholic that the commission has been “invited to take part in training of new bishops here in Rome this week”, continuing, “I will be taking part.”
She described this as “a very welcome development”.
The decision stands in sharp contrast to last year’s training course, when Msgr Tony Anatrella told newly appointed bishops it was up to victims of sexual abuse or their parents to report allegations of abuse to the civil authorities. Cardinal Sean O’Malley, who heads the child protection commission, challenged this advice, saying that bishops had an “ethical and moral” obligation to report abuse allegations.
As well as providing training for new bishops, commission members were invited to address meetings of the Pontifical Ecclesiastic Academy and the Congregation for Consecrated Life.
Baroness Sheila Hollins, with Mrs Collins a member of the commission, said the developments showed how the Vatican believes educating Church leaders about abuse and child protection to be a top priority.