Pope Leo XIV has appointed French Archbishop Thibault Verny as the new president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
Newsroom (07 July 2025, Gaudium Press ) In a move that signals a continued commitment to addressing the Catholic Church’s ongoing struggle with clergy abuse, Pope Leo XIV has appointed French Archbishop Thibault Verny as the new president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Verny, who leads the Archdiocese of Chambéry–Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne–Tarentaise, steps into the role previously held by Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, the American prelate who has been a towering figure in the Church’s efforts to confront the abuse crisis since the commission’s inception in 2014 under Pope Francis.
The transition marks a pivotal moment for the commission, which has faced both praise and criticism over its decade-long existence. O’Malley, now 81, was the founding head of the commission, bringing to the role his extensive experience as the former archbishop of Boston—a diocese at the epicenter of the abuse scandal when it erupted in the United States in 2002. His appointment a decade ago was seen as a bold step by Pope Francis to address the global crisis head-on, and O’Malley’s tenure has been defined by a dogged commitment to establishing policies and procedures aimed at protecting children and vulnerable adults within the Church.
In a statement released on Saturday, O’Malley expressed confidence in his successor, noting that he has worked closely with Verny since the latter joined the commission in 2022. “I have witnessed his dedication to the prevention of abuse in the life of the Church,” O’Malley said, highlighting Verny’s extensive experience collaborating with law enforcement, civil authorities, and Church leadership to ensure accountability for the Church’s failures, particularly in France. Verny’s prior role as auxiliary bishop of Paris saw him spearhead efforts to address abuse cases, and he currently serves as the head of safeguarding for the French bishops’ conference.
Verny’s appointment comes at a time when the Catholic Church continues to grapple with the legacy of the abuse crisis, which has shaken the faith of millions and eroded trust in ecclesiastical institutions worldwide. The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, established to advise the Vatican on best practices for safeguarding and to promote accountability, has been a cornerstone of the Church’s response. However, its history has been far from smooth, marked by internal strife and public criticism from former members who have questioned its efficacy and the Vatican’s commitment to its mission.
A Commission with a Troubled Past
The commission’s journey has been fraught with challenges. In 2017, Irish abuse survivor Marie Collins resigned in frustration, accusing the Vatican of stonewalling the commission’s proposals. Her departure was a significant blow, underscoring the tension between the commission’s ambitions and the bureaucratic resistance within the Roman Curia. Similarly, in 2023, Jesuit Father Hans Zollner, a prominent figure in the global safeguarding movement, left the commission, citing a host of issues, including its internal dysfunction and strained relationship with the Vatican’s administrative machinery. “One thing is certain,” Zollner told journalists at the time. “Several members have left the Pontifical Commission before me, and there has been no shortage of criticisms recently expressed publicly by past members, some quite strong.”
These departures highlighted a recurring theme: the commission’s struggle to translate its recommendations into meaningful action within a Church structure often resistant to change. Critics have pointed to the Vatican’s slow pace in implementing reforms, as well as a lack of transparency and accountability, as persistent obstacles. For survivors of clergy abuse, the commission’s rocky history has often felt like a betrayal of the Church’s promises to prioritize their healing and justice.
Yet, despite these setbacks, the commission has made strides in establishing policies and procedures aimed at preventing abuse and fostering a culture of safeguarding. O’Malley, in his farewell statement, emphasized the collaborative efforts of the commission’s members and staff, crediting them with advancing the Church’s mission to protect the vulnerable. “I am grateful to all my colleagues associated with the Commission, those currently active and those who served in prior years, for their significant time and effort given to this mission and their unwavering commitment to the protection of children and vulnerable adults,” he said.
Verny’s Vision: A Collaborative Path Forward
Archbishop Verny steps into this complex landscape with a reputation as a collaborative and determined leader. His work in France has positioned him as a key figure in the Church’s response to the abuse crisis, particularly in a country that has faced its own reckoning in recent years. A 2021 report by an independent commission estimated that more than 200,000 children in France had been abused by clergy or Church-affiliated individuals over seven decades, a revelation that shocked the nation and prompted widespread calls for reform. Verny’s leadership in developing culturally specific policies and procedures for abuse prevention in France has earned him praise as a pragmatic and compassionate figure, one who has prioritized healing and reconciliation for survivors.
“Archbishop Verny has been at the forefront in seeking healing and reconciliation with survivors,” O’Malley noted in his statement. “He played an important role in the development and implementation of substantive policies and procedures, with cultural specificity, for the prevention of any recurrence of abuse.” This experience, O’Malley argued, makes Verny uniquely qualified to lead the commission into its next chapter, advancing the global adoption of safeguarding practices to ensure the safety of those under the Church’s care.
Verny’s appointment is among the first major decisions by Pope Leo XIV, who assumed the papacy earlier this year. The new pontiff has signaled that addressing the abuse crisis remains a priority, a commitment underscored by his hour-long meeting with commission members last month. Described by members as open and substantial, the session offered a glimpse into Leo’s approach to leadership—one that appears to balance continuity with a willingness to confront the Church’s challenges head-on.
In his statement, O’Malley expressed gratitude to Pope Leo for ensuring that the commission “continues to be a priority for the Church.” He pointed to the pontiff’s early actions as evidence of a resolve to prevent complacency in the Church’s safeguarding efforts. “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,” O’Malley said.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Crux Now
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