Fr. Lombardi: new Commission for Protection of Minors to take “multi-pronged approach”
(Vatican Radio) In comments following Saturday’s announcement of the institution of
the new Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, Vatican spokesman Fr.
Federico Lombardi sj reaffirmed the commitment of Pope Francis’ predecessors, Popes
John Paul II and Benedict XVI to the safeguarding of minors. Fr. Lombardi cited Benedict
XVI who said the Church needs “to establish the truth of what happened in the past,
to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent it from occurring again, to ensure
that the principles of justice are fully respected and, above all,to bring healing
to the victims and to all those affected by these egregious crimes” (Pope Benedict
XVI, Address to the Irish Bishops, 28 October 2006).
Listen to Tracey McClure's
report:
Fr. Lombardi
said “Pope Francis has made clear that the Church must hold the protection of minors
amongst Her highest priorities,” and as part of that commitment, has established this
new commission by appointing “several highly qualified persons who are committed to
this issue.”
Apart from initially drafting the body’s Statute, the members,
he said, will be called to propose names of “additional candidates, especially from
other continents and countries, who can offer service to the Commission.”
Fr.
Lombardi said the Church has a “critical role” to play in upholding what he called
a “sacred responsibilityof ensuring the safety of young people." He explained the
Commission will “take a multi-pronged approach to promoting youth protection, including:
education regarding the exploitation of children; discipline of offenders; civil and
canonical duties and responsibilities; and the development of best practices as they
have emerged in society at large.”
Below please find the full transcript
of Fr. Lombardi’s remarks:
As Blessed John Paul II declared, “People
need to know that there is no place in the priesthood and religious life for those
who would harm the young…. So much pain, so much sorrow must lead to a holier priesthood,
a holier episcopate, and a holier Church” (Address of John Paul II to the Cardinals
of the United States, 23 April 2002).
In the words of Pope Emeritus Benedict
XVI, as we commit ourselves to the safeguarding of minors, we need “to establish the
truth of what happened in the past, to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent
it from occurring again, to ensure that the principles of justice are fully respected
and, above all, to bring healing to the victims and to all those affected by these
egregious crimes” (Pope Benedict XVI, Address to the Irish Bishops, 28 October 2006).
Continuing the work undertaken by his predecessors, and having heard the
advice of a number of Cardinals, other members of the College of Bishops, and experts
in the field, and having duly deliberated, Pope Francis now is forming a Commission
for the safeguarding of minors.
Pope Francis has made clear that the Church
must hold the protection of minors amongst Her highest priorities. Today, to carry
forward this initiative, the Holy Father announces the names of several highly qualified
persons who are committed to this issue.
This initial group is now called
to work expeditiously to assist in several tasks, including: participating in the
deliberations concerning the Commission’s final structure; describing the scope of
its responsibilities; and developing the names of additional candidates, especially
from other continents and countries, who can offer service to the Commission.
Certain
that the Church has a critical role to play in this field, and looking to the future
without forgetting the past, the Commission will take a multi-pronged approach to
promoting youth protection, including: education regarding the exploitation of children;
discipline of offenders; civil and canonical duties and responsibilities; and the
development of best practices as they have emerged in society at large.
In
this way, and with the help of God, this Commission will contribute to the Holy Father’s
mission of upholding the sacred responsibility of ensuring the safety of young people.