MASSACHUSETTS
Boston Herald
Ray Flynn
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Pope Francis’ appointment of Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith — which reviews clergy sex abuse cases — underscores the level of trust the pontiff has for our archbishop and sends a clear message about his priorities at a critically important time for the church.
I have no doubt that Cardinal Sean, who was named president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in 2014, will use his new leadership role to ensure that any bishops and priests who are found to have violated their sacred trust are removed and dealt with harshly and swiftly.
Richard Gaillardetz, chairman of Boston College’s School of Theology and Ministry, said the appointment “recognizes the extent to which the pope has trust in O’Malley.”
“One of the criticisms of Francis that has the most substance is he has been slow in responding to the clerical sexual abuse crisis,” Gaillardetz said. “Cardinal O’Malley is someone he trusts, who has been in his ear to tell him this is a more important and serious issue than he may have realized.”
By continuing to bring clarity and consistency to Francis’ fight to identify and remove the abusive clergy members who have sullied the reputations of countless good, holy priests around the world, O’Malley will take his expertise onto the global stage and let Catholics know his task is the pope’s highest priority.
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