Abuse survivor calls for church to change

DUBLIN — A prominent Irish survivor of priestly sexual abuse told a Vatican-sponsored conference Friday that the Holy See must put in place “robust structures” and strong sanctions to hold accountable bishops and Vatican officials who fail to protect children from predator priests.

Marie Collins, a former member of Pope Francis’ abuse advisory board, urged Catholic families attending the Dublin conference to ask why the pope scrapped such a structure — a proposed Vatican accountability tribunal — several years ago.

Collins was the headline speaker at a panel discussion on keeping children safe from pedophiles at the World Meeting of Families, a once-every-three-years Vatican-sponsored rally meant to encourage and energize Catholic families. Francis arrives today in Dublin to close out the conference, with a Mass on Sunday in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.

While the sex abuse crisis was always expected to cloud Francis’ trip, given Ireland’s history of abuse and cover-up, new revelations in the U.S. of misconduct and cover-up by the U.S. hierarchy have ensured Francis’ trip will be dominated by the issue.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Francis’ top abuse adviser, had been expected to head the Dublin safeguarding discussion Friday but stayed home due to what he called “serious pastoral needs” in Boston. O’Malley opened an investigation into his diocesan seminary, and removed its rector, after reports of misconduct went public.

It’s the third seminary — including Philadelphia and Seton Hall, N.J. — that is now under church investigation because of reports of sexual misconduct and possible abuse.

“Anyone in the Vatican who would stand in the way of proper protection of children should be accountable as well,” Collins said.

“This accountability must have strong sanctions for the guilty: Dismissal from their post, removal of their titles and privileges and if necessary, removal from the clergy entirely.”