March 24, 2014
The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is starting to take shape. The Vatican has announced the names of its governing body, which includes priests, theologians, psychiatrists, lawyers and a sex abuse victim.
Among the members is
Marie Collins. She is a native of Ireland, and she helped the Archdiocese
of Dublin in setting up its Child Protection Services. Her presence in the
commission will be key, since she herself was abused by a priest as a
minor.
Professor Sheila Hollins
is from the UK. She is a psychiatrist who specializes in mental health.
Dr. Catherine Bonnet, is
from France and her area of expertise is child psychology.
The Archbishop of
Boston, Sean O'Malley, is the only cardinal in the group. He announced the
creation of the commission back in December after the Pope held a meeting with
him and other members of the G8's advisory group.
Prof. Claudio Papale is a civil lawyer and also a professor at the Pontifical
Urbaniana University. As an expert in canon law he also serves in the
disciplinary department of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith.
Poland's former prime
minister, Hanna Suchocka is also in the commission. She is an expert in
Constitutional Law and is a professor at the University of Poznan.
Fr. Humberto Miguel
YaƱez is from Argentina. He is a theology professor
at the Pontifical Gregorian University. He has helped organize a conference
on the prevention of sex abuse.
Fr. Hans Zollner, is from Germany. He is a licensed psychologist and
psychotherapist. He is based in Rome and serves as the chair of the Steering
Committee of the Center for Child Protection.
The Commission was
announced back in December 2013. The group's first assignment will be to
establish the task and competencies of the Commission. According to the
Vatican's press office, more members will be added in the future.
