Pope Leo Prioritizes Fight Against Clerical Child Abuse, Says Monsignor Herrera
Vatican City: Pope Leo has placed the fight against clerical child abuse at the forefront of his papacy, according to Monsignor Luis Manuel Al Herrera, the head of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Speaking at an event organized by the Italian Episcopal Conference, Msgr. Herrera emphasized the Pope’s dedication to addressing this critical issue within the Church.
According to Ansa News Agency, Msgr. Herrera, who will assume the role of secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in March 2024, shared his experiences with Pope Leo. He described the Pope as having a comprehensive perspective gained from his diverse background and extensive travels. Msgr. Herrera highlighted Pope Leo’s commitment to developing preventive measures and support systems for victims of abuse, noting that the Pope is well aware of the challenges faced by the Church globally.
Msgr. Herrera expressed hope that the issue remains a priority for Pope Leo, citing the Pope’s audience with Cardinal Sean O’Malley, a prominent advocate against abuse, as evidence of his commitment. The Pontifical Commission is scheduled to meet with Pope Leo next week to discuss the matter further.
The Italian Bishops Conference (CEI) released its third report on clerical sex abuse, revealing that 115 alleged victims were identified in Italy between 2023 and 2024. The report detailed that 69 cases of alleged abuse occurred within this period, with 27 taking place in parishes. Clerics were mainly implicated as the alleged perpetrators, totaling 67 individuals.
The CEI report highlighted an increase in reported cases of “spiritual and conscience abuses,” which rose from 4 to 17 cases between 2023 and 2024. The findings were part of the Third Territorial Survey, which assessed the activities of various services and centers dedicated to protecting minors and vulnerable adults.
The analysis identified parishes as the most common setting for reported abuses, with children aged 10 to 14 being the most affected. The majority of alleged abusers were male clerics, with an increase in the average age of perpetrators from 43 years in 2022 to 50 years in the current reporting period. Among laypersons implicated, roles included catechists, educators, volunteers, and religious teachers.