Collins did not vote for Saunders suspension

Marie Collins, the Irish clerical abuse survivor who has been a member of Pope Francis’ child protection advisory panel since its foundation, has said she did not vote for the suspension of her colleague and fellow survivor Peter Saunders.

Following a February 6 discussion about the “direction and purpose” of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors “it was decided that Mr Peter Saunders would take a leave of absence from his membership to consider how he might best support the commission’s work”, according to a statement.

Mr Saunders, founder of the UK-based National Association for People Abused in Childhood, said 15 committee members voted for his suspension, with one member being absent and another abstaining. Asked on Twitter whether she had voted for Mr Saunders’ suspension, Mrs Collins said she had not done so.

In a later statement, Mr Saunders, who has been outspoken on individual cases including allegations about Chile’s Bishop Juan Barros and Vatican finance chief Cardinal George Pell, said concerns had been raised about his speaking too much to the press and seeing himself as a campaigner. He insisted that he has not, however, left the panel, saying “I was appointed by Pope Francis, and I will only talk to him about my position on the commission”.

Boston’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley saying he has asked Mr Saunders “to advise the commission on the possible establishment of a victim survivor panel to work with the commission”.