#clergy-sexual-abuse

#clergy-sexual-abuse

Pope Leo XIV signaled commitment to continuing the fight against clergy sexual abuse by appointing France's Bishop Thibault Verny to head the Vatican's child protection advisory commission. Verny, 59, replaces American Cardinal Sean O'Malley, the retired archbishop of Boston, who was the founding president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. This commission was established by Pope Francis in 2014 to advise the church on best practices to fight abuse and protect children.

Bishop Joseph V. Brennan stated, 'I am clear-sighted that this path is the only path that will allow us to handle claims of sexual abuse with fair, equitable compassion while simultaneously ensuring the continuation of ministry within our Diocese.'

A coalition of survivors of clergy sexual abuse has demanded that cardinals elect a pope committed to a universal zero-tolerance abuse policy, emphasizing the need for accountability.