Clerical abuse victim leaves Vatican commission, accuses it of ‘silence and secrecy’

VATICAN CITY
ABC News (Australia)

By Anne Barker

A prominent survivor of clerical sexual abuse has accused authorities within the Vatican of hiding behind a culture of silence and secrecy to avoid dealing with the issue.

Marie Collins has resigned from a special Vatican commission, created by Pope Francis, to tackle the issue of paedophilia within the church.

In a written statement she cited a refusal by senior men in the Vatican to cooperate with the commission as a key factor in her decision.

“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,” Ms Collins said.

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