Pope Leo XIV designates Archbishop Thibault Verny as the new leader of the Pontifical Commission for the Safeguarding of Minors
**New Head of Vatican's Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors Vows to Strengthen Safeguarding Measures**
Thibault Verny, a French prelate with a distinguished career in theology, administration, and child protection, has been appointed as the new president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors by Pope Leo XIV.
Born on November 7, 1965, in Paris, Verny's academic journey began with a degree in engineering from the École Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles in Paris. He later pursued theological studies, earning a licentiate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University. Verny was ordained a priest in 1998 for the Archdiocese of Paris[1].
Throughout his career, Verny has held various roles, including chaplain, parish priest, dean, and vicar general of Paris. He has been instrumental in protecting minors from sexual abuse within the Archdiocese of Paris, managing efforts to care for victims and developing procedures for reporting abuse to civil authorities. As an auxiliary bishop from 2016, he oversaw the implementation and monitoring of protection programs[1].
Verny's commitment to child protection extends beyond Paris. He has been a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors since 2022 and also heads the child protection council of the French Bishops' Conference. He has conducted annual audits of the French church's victim reception centers, following a severe report that revealed widespread abuse over the past 70 years in France[2].
As the head of the commission, Verny succeeds Cardinal Seán O’Malley, the founding president. Under O’Malley’s leadership, the commission issued its first worldwide safeguarding report in 2024. Verny emphasizes vigilance, accountability, and compassion in the Church’s protection efforts. He has also contributed to international safeguarding work in countries such as the Central African Republic and Ivory Coast[3].
Verny's focus as the head of the commission will be on supporting Churches that are struggling to implement adequate protective measures. He has emphasized the importance of supporting subsidiarity and equitable sharing of resources to ensure the highest protective standards for all parts of the Church. He also underscores the importance of involving victims and parents of victims within the Commission for the Protection of Minors[4].
In 2023, Verny was installed as the Archbishop of Chambéry, Bishop of Maurienne, and Bishop of Tarentaise[5]. With his extensive experience in combating pedophilia and sexual abuse within the Church, Verny is well-positioned to continue advancing safeguarding policies globally.
[1] - Vatican News [2] - The Guardian [3] - Catholic News Agency [4] - Vatican News [5] - La Croix International
- Thibault Verny, with his background in engineering, theology, and extensive experience in child protection, is expected to bring a unique blend of finance, leadership, and business acumen to his role as the head of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
- In his new role, Verny plans to leverage his expertise in managing resources and implementation strategies, utilizing his experience in business and leadership to ensure the highest protective standards for all parts of the Church, promoting equitable sharing of resources and subsidiarity.
