Abuses: End repetition of a drama that traumatizes people, families and the Church

The conclusions of the 9th plenary assembly of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Several pilot projects announced, the first of which will be implemented in Brazil. During the plenary, some members had the opportunity to address the two training courses for new neo-ordained bishops.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - To avoid the repetition of the "drama" of sexual abuse by clerics and to bring the voice of the victims to the top of the Church leadership were the themes at the center of the 9th plenary assembly of the Pontifical Commission for protection of minors, which took place in Rome from 7 to 9.

The participants in the assembly, informed a note, listened to some testimonies of victims and "also reflected on recent events in the universal Church that have wounded so many, including those who have suffered abuse, families and communities of the faithful. These acts have deprived many children of their childhood. The questions that have emerged in recent months, not only underscore the seriousness of the issue of abuse, they also represent an opportunity to focus everyone's attention on prevention tools in order to make the future different from our past. Our starting point is not to investigate particular cases but to prevent them from happening in the future ".

During the meeting "experts Working with those who survived abuse announced the launch of several pilot projects, the first of which will be implemented in Brazil. In continuity with the work of the founding members, these projects aim to create safe environments and transparent processes within which the people who have been abused can come forward. Through these survivor advisory panels it is hoped the local church leadership will also benefit from the direct input of victims/survivors into how they can improve their child protection and safeguarding policies".

The President of the Commission, Card. Sean Patrick O'Malley (pictured), interviewed by Vatican Radio, said that "it is crucial to bring the voice of the victims to the top of the Church leadership to make everyone understand how important it is for the Church to give answers rapidly and correctly to any situation of abuse whenever it occurs. In particular, in the light of the current situation, if the Church proves incapable of answering with all her heart and making this issue a priority, all our other activities of evangelization, works of charity and education, will be affected. This must be the priority we need to focus on now ".

• vatican
• abuse
• protection of minors
• cardinal o'malley