Pope Leo Appoints Bishop Verny to Abuse Panel

Pope Leo Appoints Bishop Verny to Abuse Panel \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Pope Leo XIV appointed French Bishop Thibault Verny as head of the Vatican’s child protection commission. Verny replaces Cardinal Sean O’Malley, the panel’s founding president. The move reaffirms the Church’s dedication to combating clergy sexual abuse worldwide.

Quick Looks

• Pope Leo XIV appoints Bishop Thibault Verny to head the Vatican’s abuse advisory panel.
• Verny replaces Cardinal Sean O’Malley, the commission’s founding president.
• The commission’s influence is rising again after past setbacks.
• Verny has led French church victim outreach efforts since 2022.
• O’Malley calls Verny’s appointment a step toward accountability.
• The French bishop will continue reforming abuse prevention practices.
• Appointment comes ahead of Pope Leo’s six-week retreat.

Deep Look

In a decisive step underscoring his commitment to combating clergy sexual abuse, Pope Leo XIV has appointed French Bishop Thibault Verny as the new president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Announced just one day before the pontiff began a six-week retreat at the papal summer residence south of Rome, the appointment marks a critical transition in the Church’s approach to child protection, survivor support, and institutional accountability.

Bishop Verny, 59, who currently serves as the bishop of Chambéry in southeastern France, replaces Cardinal Sean O’Malley, the retired archbishop of Boston. Cardinal O’Malley has been the face and force behind the commission since its inception in 2014 under Pope Francis. The body was created to help advise the Church on best practices for preventing abuse and providing support for survivors, while also shaping transparent guidelines for internal accountability.

During Pope Francis’ 12-year pontificate, the commission initially struggled to retain its authority. One of its most prominent recommendations—the establishment of a tribunal to judge bishops who shielded abusive clergy—was never fully implemented, leading to criticism from both within and outside the Vatican. Despite these early setbacks, the commission has undergone major restructuring in recent years. New members, including survivor advocates and independent experts, have helped rejuvenate its mission, transforming it into a vital resource for dioceses around the world.

Verny’s elevation to the leadership role is not just symbolic; it reflects a practical pivot toward localized experience and survivor-centered reform. As a member of the commission since 2022, Verny has been directly involved in child protection work in France, a country shaken by one of the most damning abuse investigations in recent memory. A 2021 independent report commissioned by the French Catholic Church estimated that approximately 330,000 children were sexually abused by priests, bishops, and other Church staff over a 70-year period.

In response, the French Church has launched new structures to care for victims, with Verny playing a key role. He currently heads the French Bishops’ Conference’s council on child protection and conducts annual audits of diocesan centers tasked with receiving and supporting abuse survivors. These audits are part of a broader national effort to restore public trust and enforce rigorous safeguarding protocols.

Verny’s background in both pastoral care and structural reform makes him uniquely suited for the role. He is known for fostering collaboration between ecclesiastical institutions, civil authorities, and survivor networks. His appointment was praised by Cardinal O’Malley, who lauded Verny’s “in-depth experience helping victims and working with law enforcement” to hold institutions accountable for “the serious failures of the Church in France.”

In a formal statement, O’Malley also acknowledged Pope Leo XIV’s prioritization of the commission, stating, “The Holy Father’s words and deeds in these early months of his pontificate assure the world that the Church will not grow complacent in her efforts to as best possible ensure the protection of children, vulnerable adults, and all people in our communities.”

For his part, Bishop Verny expressed admiration for O’Malley’s leadership, calling him a “moral compass” for the Church. This acknowledgment refers to moments when O’Malley was publicly critical—even of Pope Francis—when the Vatican’s handling of abuse cases was perceived as lacking urgency or compassion. Verny pledged to continue the commission’s work with the same sense of mission, integrity, and transparency.

“I am committed, together with the members and personnel, to building on that legacy,” Verny said. “We must ensure that survivors’ voices remain central to our policies and that local churches are fully supported in their safeguarding efforts.”

The significance of Verny’s appointment extends beyond internal Church politics. It signals a renewed focus on ensuring that survivor advocacy, institutional accountability, and collaboration with civil systems are central to Vatican policy. Pope Leo XIV’s move also suggests that child protection will remain a cornerstone issue of his papacy, building on but potentially reforming the legacy of his predecessor.

With this change in leadership, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is expected to continue expanding its global footprint, offering guidance to bishops’ conferences worldwide and helping establish consistent safeguarding standards across diverse cultural contexts.

In a Church still grappling with the consequences of widespread abuse and institutional silence, Verny’s appointment offers both continuity and the hope of deeper reform. Whether this marks a turning point for the Vatican’s credibility on abuse prevention remains to be seen—but it is, undoubtedly, a step in a committed direction.

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