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Philippines
Saturday, February 22, 2025
26.1 C
Philippines
Saturday, February 22, 2025

CBCP sets up minors’ protection office

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Following allegations of sexual abuse against at least 50 Filipino priests by the U.S.-based abuse monitoring organization BishopAccountability.org, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) established an Office for the Safeguarding of Minors.

 Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of Bishop Accountability, revealed the information and expressed her hope that a «robust public dialogue» regarding child sexual abuse within religious institutions would commence in the Philippines.

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“We want victims to know that there are people in the Philippines who would give them vigorous support,” she said.

Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, president of  the CBCP, stated that the office will treat the accountability issue “very seriously.”

 “Rome now mandates that each diocese create its own Office for the Safeguarding of Minors and Vulnerable Adults, along with appointing a designated individual to formally handle complaints,” David said.

He also mentioned that Archbishop Florentino Lavarias leads the Office for the Safeguarding of Minors.

 David said the bishop or the religious superior is responsible for dealing with complaints of abuse against priests belonging to their diocese or religious congregation, and if the complainants feel there was no action, the papal nuncio will be informed.

“If alleged abuse case against a cleric concerns minors and vulnerable adults, the bishop is required to keep Rome informed about it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Doyle emphasized the significance of setting up safeguarding offices while also urging victims to reach out to law enforcement in their quest for justice.

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