Abuse campaigner appointed to papal commission

A leading campaigner against sexual abuse in England and Wales has been appointed to the Vatican commission for the protection of children, writes Christopher Lamb.

Peter Saunders, chief executive of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac), is himself a victim of abuse. Earlier this year, he met Pope Francis and urged him to provide practical steps to help abuse survivors.

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors was set up in March and includes the psychiatrist and academic Baroness (Sheila) Hollins and Marie Collins, an Irish abuse survivor and campaigner. On 17 December, the Vatican announced new members of the commission, including Bill Kilgallon, a former chairman of the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission of England and Wales. 

Meanwhile, 22 allegations of abuse – including sexual, physical and emotional abuse – were made against members of the Church in Scotland last year, according to a new safeguarding report. Fifteen of them were sexual, with a total of 12 priests and one Religious among those accused.