Irishwoman to co-ordinate Vatican abuse commission

A Co. Wicklow woman asked to co-ordinate the work of a Vatican abuse commission, has put her appointment down to the leading example shown by the Irish Church in improving safeguarding standards.

Emer McCarthy-Cabrera, who worked at the Vatican Radio English section for 13 years and was tasked with translating Pope Francis’ first words into English, has been appointed the Project Co-ordinator of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

The members of the commission, created by the Pope to raise awareness and understanding at all levels of the Church regarding the seriousness and urgency in implementing correct safeguarding procedures, includes Irish abuse survivor Marie Collins.

“Being asked to come on board is an honour,” Ms McCarthy told The Irish Catholic. “I think having two Irish people involved with the commission is a reflection of fact that Ireland has really come forward in making sure abuse never happens again. A lot of work has been done, by lay people as well as religious, and the Irish Church can now offer help to other Churches to prevent the same mistakes happening.”

Ms McCarthy said she was “impressed by how deeply” all the commission members care about the issue of protecting children and vulnerable adults and “that the Church puts its best foot forward and learn from past mistakes”, and helps “communities recover from the wounds” that it has caused.

Charged with managing the research of the commission members and drawing together reports for Pope Francis, Ms McCarthy said she is confident progress is being made. “We are moving forward, but this job is too important to be rushed and it is of greatest importance to the Holy Father that it is done right,” she said.

 

Bishop’s resignation welcomed

Marie Collins, who sits on the Pope’s abuse prevention body, has welcomed the resignation of US bishop convicted of failing to report abuse allegations.

The Vatican announced on Tuesday that the Pope had accepted the resignation of Bishop Robert Finn (62) of Kansas City-St Joseph.

He has been a controversial figure in the Church since he was prosecuted, and convicted, in 2012 of waiting several months before telling police that explicit images of young girls had been discovered on the computer of one of his priests.

Mrs Collins told The Irish Catholic that while “it took a long time” for the Vatican to act against the bishop, it is “good to see it happen at last”.