Commission member steps down after personal history of mistreatment in child welfare
Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors: Marie Collins Resigns and Future Changes Discussed
Marie Collins, a clerical abuse survivor and a long-standing member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, announced her resignation on March 1, 2017. The decision comes after expressing frustration with a lack of cooperation from certain offices within the Roman Curia.
Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, who heads the commission, expressed gratitude for Collins' contributions, stating, "Marie's voice has been essential in bringing the needs of survivors to the forefront of our discussions."
Fr. Hans Zollner SJ, another commission member, expressed understanding and respect for Collins' frustration. He acknowledged the challenges of achieving unity on abuse prevention within the Church, which he noted are culturally and politically bound. Zollner also mentioned that the commission is underfunded, having the resources of a diocese rather than an organization that operates throughout the globe.
Zollner referred to the testimonies given by commission members Kathleen McCormack and Sheila Hollins before Australia's Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. He stated that funding will likely be discussed during their upcoming plenary meeting, and the commission is planning to discuss "the future form and composition of this commission" during this meeting as well.
Collins' resignation letter cited a lack of cooperation with the commission by other offices in the Roman Curia as a reason for her decision. However, Zollner clarified that there are pushbacks and setbacks within the Church, but these do not represent the Curia as a whole. He emphasized that Marie Collins has agreed to continue working with the commission in an educational role.
Cardinal O'Malley mentioned that the commission will discuss Collins' concerns during their next plenary meeting. The commission's current composition is unlikely to change before the end of their term at the close of 2017, according to Zollner.
The commission praised Collins for consistently championing for the voices of victims/survivors. Peter Saunders, the other clerical abuse survivor, was asked to take a leave of absence in February 2016. Currently, no publicly available search result explicitly names another person represented as an active survivor of sexual abuse in the Commission for the Protection of Children and Youth.
Pope Francis accepted Collins' resignation with deep appreciation for her work on behalf of abuse survivors. Fr. Hans Zollner SJ noted that achieving unity on abuse prevention may take time, but the commission remains committed to its mission.
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