Pope renews action on sexual abuse

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43098231

Pope Francis has announced the renewal of the Church’s panel tasked with combating sexual abuse of children, in the wake of a fresh controversy.

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is made up of eight men and eight women – nine of them new members.

Its original three-year mandate expired in December.

In recent weeks, Pope Francis has been under fire for his defence of a bishop accused of witnessing sexual abuse.

During his trip to Chile in January, he told journalists that in the case of Bishop Juan Barros: “There is not a single piece of proof against him. Everything is slander. Is this clear?”

His remarks offended some of the victims of Fernando Karadima. They said Bishop Barros was present while Karadima molested them decades ago – and did nothing.