Leo XIV appoints the new person in charge of directing the Pontifical Commission that fights sexual abuse

Pope Leo XIV has appointed the French archbishop Thibault Verny as the new president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minorsin replacement of Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, who directed this body since December 2014.

The appointment was released this July 5 through the press office of the Holy See.

Mons. Thibult Verny was born in Paris on November 7, 1965 and is Archbishop of Chambéry, Maurienne and Tarentaise. Until the month of June he presided over the Council for the Prevention and Fight against Pedophilia of the French Episcopate. In addition, he was already a member of the Pontifical Commission since 2022.

In a statement, Cardinal O’Malley highlighted the experience and dedication of his successor to prevent abuses within the Catholic Church. “It is a blessing for all” that Leo XIV has entrusted the leadership of the commission, said the purple Canadian of 80 years.

“I also want to honor our late Holy Father, Pope Francis, who began the Pontifical Commission in 2013,” which has established “policies and procedures for protection and safeguard, always aware of the importance of recognition, resolution and peace for all people affected by abuse,” he said.

Support dioceses to continue implementing protection measures

For his part, the new president of the Pontifical Commission thanked in a statement the “brave and prophetic” leadership of Cardinal O’Malley during all these years and pointed out that “our priorities will focus on supporting the churches, especially those who still fight to implement appropriate guardianship measures”.

“We will promote the subsidiarity and equitable distribution of resources so that all parts of the Church, regardless of their geographical location or circumstances, can maintain the highest safeguard standards,” said the 59 -year -old prelate.

In statements a Vatican NewsMons. Verny added that among the priorities is also “deepening the work already presented through the annual report, initiatives in countries that need it and through at the memory iniciative to accompany the churches in the reception and accompaniment of the victims. ”

“The guidelines will soon be published, which provide guidelines for the accompaniment and protection of minors. Another point that seems important to me will be to be able to put the initiatives on a network. Too too often, the different countries work on their own. On the other hand, it is necessary to be able to support each other and share what is done,” he added.

The French archbishop recalled that “the Commission does not have the task of replacing local structures and episcopal conferences,” but seeks to sensitize them “about listening and the specific accompaniment of the victims.”

“Within the commission for the protection of minors,” he said, “it is essential that there are victims, parents of victims who contribute their irreplaceable experience.”

For the new president, we must “continue implementing a mentality, a culture, within the churches to spread the protection of minors and make it become natural, both within the Church and within families and also within society.”