Scottish Catholic Observer

Following a Council of Cardinals meeting at the Vatican, Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston said that Pope Francis had accepted the cardinals’ proposal for a special commission established for the protection of children. Cardinal O’Malley said that the commission will survey child protection programmes and work with bishops and religious.

The commission will include lay people and will focus on supporting victims of abuse and advising the Pope on prevention policies and pastoral outreach for victims. The Vatican commission will look at guidelines in place, priestly formation programmes, codes of conduct and screening candidates for the priesthood. The Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith’s role in investigating and trying accused priests won’t change.

The Vatican commission will also issue recommendations to support co-operation with the civil authorities.