The Catholic Church makes positive moves forward
Pope Francis has recently authorized the formation of a commission on the sexual abuse of children in the Catholic Church. It will be composed of international experts including laypersons, members of religious orders, and priests. The commission will advise the pope on methods to prevent abuse, including examining current programs, better screening of priests, and training church personnel. It will also improve pastoral care for survivors and their families by providing mental care.
This announcement came days after the Vatican refused to share details of its internal investigations into sex abuse cases with the United Nations. The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child requested that the Vatican provide this information, as a public hearing is scheduled for sometime later this month. The Holy See answered questions in a general way, but did not disclose specific information, including the names of abusers, as they stated it was beyond the jurisdiction of the Vatican city state.
Members of the support organization, Survivors of Networks of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), have raised concerns about this committee’s ability to be effective. Director David Clohessy stated, “No institution can police itself, especially not an ancient, secretive, rigid all-male monarchy.” It remains unclear whether this commission will address the issue of bishops shielding abusive priests. It will not replace the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, responsible for the discipline of abusive priests, and local bishops will remain responsible for the safety of children in their dioceses.
This is not the first time that the Vatican has attempted to tackle the issue of sex abuse in the Catholic Church. In 2011 the Vatican instructed the world’s bishops’ conferences to establish formal guidelines on dealing with clerical sex abuse. However, in 2013, it was reported that about a quarter failed to comply. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has also commissioned studies on claims of abuse and examined child safety programs, but these reports contain only general statistics. Very few church leaders have come forward with the names of abusers.
Within the last several decades, widespread cases of abuse in the church have come to light. There have also been revelations about the church’s failure to stop priests from continuing abuse, moving abusive priests from church to church rather than turning them over to authorities. Cases of abuse by clergy have forced the church to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation worldwide, bankrupting many dioceses.
Pope Francis’s approval of this commission is just one of many positive changes that he has made during his short time as Pope. His vision of bringing the church closer to the public has improved perception of the Catholic Church at a time when it is facing great criticism. As a result, Time magazine named Pope Francis “Person of the Year” for 2013.
It remains to be seen what impact this commission will have on the rampant abuse recognized in the Catholic Church. However, as an impartial external organization, the U.N.’s public inquiry is sure to have great effect.