"Brown Papi" Leading the Charge, Francis Goes Yard on Abuse

Delivered at Roman Noon as this second three-day meeting of Papa Francesco's all-powerful "star chamber" begins winding down, here, the Vatican announce from the pranzo-time briefing (emphases original; links added for context)....

[A]longside the Director of the Holy See Press Office [Federico Lombardi SJ], there participated Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley [OFM Cap.], archbishop of Boston, member of the Council of Cardinals, who gave the following Declaration:

"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."

SVILUPPO: The Holy See has released fullvideo of O'Malley's announcement....



PHOTO: Andrew Small OMI

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