Pope’s Commission Set to Publish First Annual Report on Clerical Child Abuse Amid Criticism
The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, established by Pope Francis in 2014, announced that it will release its first annual report next week, ten years after its inception. The long-awaited report comes as the commission attempts to address criticism over its effectiveness in tackling clerical child abuse.
Since its establishment, the commission has faced numerous challenges, including strong criticism over its organization, funding, and role. Several high-profile members have resigned, including two members representing abuse survivors in 2017 and influential German Jesuit priest Hans Zollner in March 2023. Zollner cited “structural and practical issues” for his resignation, while Francesco Zanardi, founder of Italian survivors group Rete L’Abuso, referred to the commission as “absolutely useless.”
Despite these challenges, Pope Francis has continued to support the commission, incorporating it into the Roman Curia, the government of the Holy See, in 2022. The Pope has asked for an annual report to provide a “reliable account of what is presently being done and what needs to change.”
The forthcoming report, set to be published on Tuesday, aims to document “where risks remain, and where advances can be found.” Maud de Boer Buquicchio, a Dutch lawyer and former UN special rapporteur on the sexual exploitation of children who chaired the report, stated that it addresses concerns about the “lack of data available.” She believes the report will serve as a “tool for promoting a change of mindset” within the Church to prioritize “accountability and transparency.”
The report will focus on four key areas: reviewing safeguarding policies in local churches, analyzing trends across continents, examining policies within the Vatican, and exploring the Church’s broader role in society. With members directly appointed by the Pope and comprising experts in fields related to safeguarding, the commission aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the Church’s efforts to tackle clerical child abuse.
While the report marks a significant step forward, survivors of abuse remain skeptical, arguing that Pope Francis has not done enough to address the issue. Since taking office in 2013, the Pope has lifted papal secrecy on sexual abuse by clergy and required both clergy and lay people to report all cases to their superiors. However, for many, these measures are not enough to heal the wounds of the past or ensure a safer future for vulnerable members of the Church community.
