December 5, 2013 - The Holy Father has decided to establish a specific Commission for the protection

The Vatican has announced, and it was widely reported today, that following on “a proposal presented by the Council of Cardinals, the Holy Father has decided to establish a specific Commission for the protection of minors, with the aim of advising Pope Francis on the Holy See’s commitment to the protection of children and in pastoral care for victims of abuse.”  Cardinal Sean participated in a press availability in Rome today announcing the Holy Father’s decision.

Following is information provided by the Vatican press office explaining the announcement.

Declaration on Meeting of Council of Cardinals

At the briefing on Thursday morning, 5 December, at 1 p.m., alongside Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, Director of the Holy See Press Office, Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley, archbishop of Boston, member of the Council of Cardinals, gave the following Declaration:

"Continuing decisively along the lines undertaken by Pope Benedict XVI, and accepting a proposal presented by the Council of Cardinals, the Holy Father has decided to establish a specific Commission for the protection of minors, with the aim of advising Pope Francis on the Holy See’s commitment to the protection of children and in pastoral care for victims of abuse. Specifically, the Commission will:

1. Study present programmes in place for the protection of children.
2. Formulate suggestions for new initiatives on the part of the Curia, in collaboration with bishops, Episcopal conferences, religious superiors and conferences of religious superiors.
3. Indicate the names of persons suited to the systematic implementation of these new initiatives, including lay persons, religious and priests with responsibilities for the safety of children, in relations with the victims, in mental health, in the application of the law, etc.

The composition and competences of the Commission will be indicated shortly, with more details from the Holy Father in an appropriate document."

Cardinal O’Malley then quoted some of the lines of action proposed by the Commission under constitution.

The meetings will conclude tomorrow afternoon, completing the review of the different Congregations of the Roman Curia initiated during these recent days.

The next round of meetings is scheduled for the 17, 18 and 19 February, preceding the Consistory of the College of Cardinals due to take place on the 20 and 21 of the same month, and the Consistory for the Creation of new cardinals on 22 February, Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, and the solemn Concelebration of Sunday 23.

In addition, the meeting of the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops is scheduled to take place in the days immediately after (24-25 February).