Marie Collins, a victim of sexual abuse as an Irish teenager, . As she put it, the refusal in some parts of the curia to cooperate with the Pope鱿鱼视频app commission or implement its recommendations 鈥渨hen the purpose is to improve the safety of children and vulnerable adults around the world is unacceptable.鈥�
Her biting resignation letter claimed the commission has been thwarted for three years by inadequate support and resources, and by the curia鱿鱼视频app aversion to recommendations or to cooperation with the commission. She cited a 鈥渃ultural resistance鈥� even to proposals approved by the Pope.
One example, she said, was the establishment of a tribunal to address bishops who are negligent on matters of sexual abuse in their dioceses. The tribunal process was approved by the Pope in June 2015, but never implemented by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF).
Collins also questioned a Vatican refusal to disseminate guidelines the commission developed for bishops to consult when drafting local sexual abuse policies. In this case, she detected a general reluctance to incorporate any of the commission鱿鱼视频app suggestions into the Vatican鱿鱼视频app existing templates.
鈥淚s this reluctance driven by internal politics, fear of change, clericalism 鈥� which instills a belief that 鈥榯hey know best鈥� 鈥� or a closed mindset which sees abuse as an inconvenience, or a clinging to old institutional attitudes?鈥� she wrote. 鈥淚 do not know the answer but it is devastating in 2017 to see that these men still can put other concerns before the safety of children and vulnerable adults.鈥�
Weighing in from afar on Vatican quarrels is a tricky business. Collins鈥� complaints have been , 鈥圕ardinal Gerhard Muller. He called it a 鈥渃liche鈥� to suggest the curia opposes reform and insists the CDF is committed to 鈥渟ustaining the Pope鱿鱼视频app universal mission.鈥�
Yet Collins raises important questions. Now it is incumbent on Francis to take them seriously and, if necessary, act decisively to ensure the integrity of the commission鱿鱼视频app important work. Although Collins holds Francis blameless, the very public resignation of a commission member who knows first hand the pain of abuse is a blow to the Pope鱿鱼视频app vow to make accountability and transparency bedrocks of the Church鱿鱼视频app sexual abuse policy.
If, as Collins says, the curia is closing doors on the commission then it is vital that the Pope opens them up and makes sure they stay that way.