Pope Leo names French Archbishop to head Vatican's abuse commission in key move
His appointment marks Pope Leo’s first public action on an issue that has severely undermined the Church’s moral authority and sparked international outcry.
In a significant first step toward addressing the Catholic Church’s global sexual abuse crisis, Pope Leo on Saturday appointed French Archbishop Thibault Verny as the new head of the Vatican’s Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
Verny, 59, will take on the role while continuing to serve as the Archbishop of Chambery in southeastern France. His appointment marks Pope Leo’s first public action on an issue that has severely undermined the Church’s moral authority and sparked international outcry.
The commission, established in 2014 by Pope Francis, was created to confront widespread clerical abuse scandals that have rocked Catholic communities worldwide. The scandals have not only triggered multimillion-dollar lawsuits but also led to the resignations of numerous bishops and deep damage to the Church’s credibility.
Verny, who joined the commission in 2022 and has led France’s Church safeguarding programs, emphasized his dedication to strengthening child protection standards across the Church.
“We will work to ensure fair access to safeguarding resources across all regions, so every Church community regardless of location or means can meet the highest standards of protection,” Verny said in an official statement.
He takes over from Cardinal Sean O’Malley, the former Boston archbishop who had chaired the commission since its inception. Now 81, O’Malley had continued serving beyond the Church’s standard retirement age of 80 for bishops.
While O’Malley was praised for his commitment, the commission has faced internal challenges, including the departure of several members over time. In 2023, a respected Jesuit priest and adviser to the pope stepped down, raising concerns about the commission's internal dynamics and effectiveness.
O’Malley welcomed Verny’s appointment, describing him as “a collaborative leader deeply committed to promoting global safeguarding and ensuring the well-being of those in the Church’s care.”
Verny’s leadership comes at a critical moment for the Vatican, as survivors and advocacy groups continue to push for more transparency and stronger accountability in handling abuse cases.
