Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors

The updated version of “Vos Estis Lux Mundi” (You are the light of the world), published March 25, expanded the categories of victims covered by the regulations to include vulnerable adults.

In focus: World Communication Day message, allegations against archbishop, call to end death penalty

Pope Francis has named Juan Carlos Cruz, a survivor of sexual abuse by a notorious Chilean priest, to be a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors met in Rome April 4-7 for its 10th plenary assembly, which was opened by its president, Cardinal O’Malley, archbishop of Boston.

A panel of researchers and presenters report on the scope and causes of abuse by clergy at a symposium titled “Reckoning and Reform: New Horizons on the Clergy Abuse Crisis” at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus in New York City March 26.

In its efforts to help advise the pope, the Roman Curia, bishops’ conferences and local churches on protecting minors from abuse, a Vatican commission listened to abuse survivors from Great Britain and discussed the results of Australia’s public inquiry into its country’s institutional responses to abuse.

Pope Francis has named nine new members to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, including abuse survivors or the parents of survivors, the Vatican said.

While the investigations into the very first alleged apparitions at Medjugorje in must continue, Pope Francis said he has doubts about claims that Mary continues to appear in the village of Bosnia-Herzegovina.