The church should be a place that can offer as much protection as possible to minors and vulnerable adults, said Pope Francis while receiving the members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, set up ten years ago, in the Vatican.

Pope Francis stated that the church must continue to commit itself with all its might to the prevention of abuses, must firmly condemn them and must pay compassionate attention to the victims.

Against the scandal of abuses and the suffering of the victims

we can become discouraged, as reweaving broken lives and healing pain is a great and complex challenge. However, this should not diminish their commitment; moreover, I encourage you to keep going so that the church is always and everywhere a place where everyone can feel at home and where every person is holy

said the head of the church.

He believed that everyone, but especially the church authorities, should know directly the consequences of abuses.

"Let us be moved by the suffering of the victims, directly listening to their voices, close to them, which gives relief and help with practical decisions and creates a different future for everyone"

- said the head of the church.

He added that it cannot happen that the victims of abuse do not find reception and listening, as this can significantly increase their suffering. He noted that providing assistance requires personal commitment as well as expertise.

The Pope thanked the commission for its work over the past ten years. He said that most of the work takes place confidentially, behind the scenes, with respect for those involved. However, Pope Francis added, the results of the commission's activities are visible thanks to the cooperation with local churches. The Pope said that when the commission was set up, he called for "reliable tools" to receive and care for victims and survivors, and at the same time for local communities to be able to independently provide prevention and protection, especially in those parts of the world where they were lacking. resources and experience.

On March 22, 2014, Pope Francis established the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

The purpose of the twenty-person advisory board, made up of ecclesiastical and secular experts, is to propose initiatives to the Pope to protect minors and vulnerable adults so that sexual abuse does not occur in the Church. The committee holds its plenary session every year in March, at which time it also submits an annual report to the Pope.

MTI

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