- Jul 2, 2010
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Exclusive: Survivor explains decision to leave Vatican's abuse commission
Marie Collins of Ireland, the only active member of the Vatican's Abuse Commission who was a victim of abuse, has resigned. She says that "I have come to the point where I can no longer be sustained by hope."
Collins was "dismayed" by the refusal of Curia departments to implement the recommendations approved by Pope Francis, or even to work with the Commission.
"Last year at our request, the pope instructed all departments in the Vatican to ensure all correspondence from victims/survivors receives a response. I learned in a letter from this particular dicastery last month that they are refusing to do so.
I find it impossible to listen to public statements about the deep concern in the church for the care of those whose lives have been blighted by abuse, yet to watch privately as a congregation in the Vatican refuses to even acknowledge their letters! It is a reflection of how this whole abuse crisis in the Church has been handled: with fine words in public and contrary actions behind closed doors."
Collins mentioned other commission members who have reported similar issues in dealing with the entrenched Vatican bureaucracy, including members who have testified before the Australian Royal Commission.
"The reluctance of some in the Vatican Curia to implement recommendations or cooperate with the work of a commission when the purpose is to improve the safety of children and vulnerable adults around the world is unacceptable.
Is this reluctance driven by internal politics, fear of change, clericalism which instills a belief that 'they know best' or a closed mindset which sees abuse as an inconvenience or a clinging to old institutional attitudes?"
Marie Collins of Ireland, the only active member of the Vatican's Abuse Commission who was a victim of abuse, has resigned. She says that "I have come to the point where I can no longer be sustained by hope."
Collins was "dismayed" by the refusal of Curia departments to implement the recommendations approved by Pope Francis, or even to work with the Commission.
"Last year at our request, the pope instructed all departments in the Vatican to ensure all correspondence from victims/survivors receives a response. I learned in a letter from this particular dicastery last month that they are refusing to do so.
I find it impossible to listen to public statements about the deep concern in the church for the care of those whose lives have been blighted by abuse, yet to watch privately as a congregation in the Vatican refuses to even acknowledge their letters! It is a reflection of how this whole abuse crisis in the Church has been handled: with fine words in public and contrary actions behind closed doors."
Collins mentioned other commission members who have reported similar issues in dealing with the entrenched Vatican bureaucracy, including members who have testified before the Australian Royal Commission.
"The reluctance of some in the Vatican Curia to implement recommendations or cooperate with the work of a commission when the purpose is to improve the safety of children and vulnerable adults around the world is unacceptable.
Is this reluctance driven by internal politics, fear of change, clericalism which instills a belief that 'they know best' or a closed mindset which sees abuse as an inconvenience or a clinging to old institutional attitudes?"
