Cardinal O’Malley: 'Praedicate evangelium' reinforces protection of minors

By Vatican News staff reporter

“For the first time, Pope Francis has made safeguarding and the protection of minors a fundamental part of the structure of the Church’s central government: the Roman Curia.”

Commenting on the promulgation on Saturday of “Praedicate evangelium” on the Roman Curia and its service to the Church and World, Cardinal Seán Patrick O'Malley welcomed the new Apostolic Constitution.

He said it reaffirms the Commission’s role “in ensuring the Church is a safe place for children and vulnerable persons".

“Linking the Commission more closely with the work of the new Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith represents a significant move forward in upgrading the place and mandate of the Commission, which can only lead to a stronger culture of safeguarding throughout the Curia and the entire Church,” he said.

The Cardinal praised the decision to maintain the Commission "as a separate body within the Dicastery that enjoys direct access to the Holy Father and with its own leadership and staffing".

Cardinal O'Malley added that "the renewed and re-affirmed Pontifical Commission will play an increasingly incisive role in ensuring the Church is a safe place for children and vulnerable persons."