Pope Francis wants to strengthen the fight against pedocrime in the Church

Pope Francis, April 27, 2022. AP - Andrew Medichini

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The sovereign pontiff received this Friday, April 29 the members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, asking them for “ 

a new start

 ” to combat the scourge of pedocrime.

This requires an increased power of this structure created eight years ago.

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With our correspondent at the Vatican,

Éric Sénanque

Pope Francis wants to give more weight to the

Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors

, which he created in 2014. The new Apostolic Constitution, which governs the Vatican administration and which will come into force at the beginning of June, now gives it a status at full part in the Roman Curia and should allow it to work independently.

In receiving its members this Friday morning, the pope recalled that their work was necessary not only to make the Church a " 

safe place for children and their healing, but also to be completely reliable in promoting their rights around the world

 . 

The sovereign pontiff thus asked the Commission to submit an annual report to him on the measures taken to

protect minors

and vulnerable adults.

“ 

Such a report will be a factor of transparency and accountability

 ,” he insisted. 

Finally, Pope Francis asked this Commission to help the episcopal conferences around the world to create centers where the victims of sexual crimes can find “ 

welcome and listening and be accompanied on a path of healing and justice

 ”.

Andrew Small (center), Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, with fellow members Nelson Giovanelli Rosendo Dos Santos (left) and Juan Carlos Cruz (right), after a meeting with Pope Francis on 29 April 2022. AP - Andrew Medichini

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