The Catholic Church strengthens the obligations against abuse by the appointment of Archbishop Verny’s leadership. His experience in children’s protection is an important contribution.
Pope Leo XIV. On Saturday he appointed Archbishop Thibault Verny in the leadership of the Papal Commission for the Protection of Minors. He thus confirmed the commitment of his predecessor Francis to continue the fight against sexual abuse by the clergy, TASR writes according to AP.
Verny (59) replaced Boston’s emeritus Archbishop and Cardinal Sean O’Malley (81). A member of the Order of the Smaller Capuchin brothers has led the advisory commission since its inception 2014. The aim was to prepare procedures in the Catholic Church in the fight against children’s abuse and protection.
The primary objective of the Commission was to prepare the creation of a tribunal for the judgment of the bishops who covered predatory priests. After years of reform, it became a place where the victims can turn to be heard. Bishops can also get advice in developing guidelines to combat abuse in their dioceses.
Archbishop has extensive experience
Cardinal O’Malley appreciated this appointment and said that Verny gained extensive experience in listening to victims of abuse and accompanied and cooperation with law enforcement authorities in order to ensure the responsibility of “serious failure of the Church in France”.
Verny operates in Chambéry in France, and a member of the commission has been a member of the Commission since 2022. He led a Council for Prevention and Fight against Pedophilia as part of the French Episcopal Conference. Official attitudes in the church circles began to change especially after the 2021 report, which estimated that about 330,000 children in France had been sexually abused by church officials over the past 70 years.
The Commission is a priority
According to O’Malley, the Pope continues to consider the commission a priority. “The words and actions of the Holy Father in these first months of his pontificate assure the world that the Church will not be the best to ensure the protection of children, vulnerable adults and all people in our communities,” he said.
Pope Leo XIV. He started a holiday in his summer residence Castel Gandolfo about 30 km southeast of Rome on the shores of Lake Albani.
