Pontifical Commission, University of Holy Cross join forces to protect minors

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

In an always greater effort to protect minors and vulnerable adults in the Church, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Santa Croce, in Italian) have signed a collaboration agreement.

According to a joint statement issued Wednesday, the Pontifical Commission's President, Cardinal Seán O'Malley, OFM, and the Rector of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Fr Luis Navarro, signed the agreement on 7 February, in the Pope's residence at the Casa Santa Marta.

The University of the Holy Cross will host initiatives related to the mission of the Commission and promote the organization of seminars and training courses for faculty, students, and non-teaching staff.

Moreover, it will foster continuing education activities for Commission staff or internships for doctoral students with the Pontifical Commission.

The two institutions plan to annually compile a report on the initiatives undertaken, which may be made public through their respective channels.

The collaboration is valid for three years and may be renewed.

"This agreement," Cardinal O'Malley explained, "is part of the network of collaboration agreements that the Commission enters into with other ecclesial entities to advance its mission."

The Commission President expressed his gratitude to the Pontifical University for its support.

Meanwhile, Santa Croce's Rector said, "We are pleased to be serving a crucial and common effort within the Church, and the Holy Cross wants to do its part."