Passive Church leaders must be removed says abuse commission

(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 29 - Church leaders who fail to take action in connection with sexual abuse cases should be removed, according to the first annual report issued Tuesday by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
    "Over its 10 years of service, the Commission has seen Church leaders being the object of past administrative actions and/or inactions which were a further source of evil for victims/survivors of sexual abuse", said the report.
    "Such a reality reveals the need for a disciplinary or administrative procedure providing an efficient path towards the resignation or removal from a post", noted the report, which highlighted the need for a document "like an Encyclical dedicated to the protection of the child and of vulnerable adults in the Church's life".
    Pope Francis set up the panel of experts in December 2014 following widespread reports of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy and its cover-up.
    The report published Tuesday also highlighted the importance of compensating victims "as a concrete commitment" to promoting their healing.
    The Commission explained that the Church's compensations should not only be of a financial nature but include "a wider spectrum of actions", including a public apology.
    It said the next edition of the report will thus investigate the "pillar of reparations" although economic compensation will "remain particularly relevant". The Commission meanwhile said the Church in Italy had promoted "good practices" against abuse, together with those of France, Belgium, Ireland and Germany.
    However, it said the European Church had not made enough progress in fighting abuse.
    "Victims' groups have reported that, in some countries, the Church's reputation appears to be prioritized over the protection of victims and survivors", also said the report.
    (ANSA).