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                             Vatican Information Service.   
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                                  VIS-Press releases   
      
   MEETING WITH PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR CHILD PROTECTION   
      
   VATICAN CITY, 18 SEP 2010 (VIS) - Following his visit to elderly people at St.   
   Peter's old people's home, the Holy Father met with a group of professionals   
   and volunteers responsible for child protection in Church environments.   
      
   "The Church has a long tradition of caring for children from their earliest   
   years through to adulthood, following the affectionate example of Christ, Who   
   blessed the children brought to Him and Who taught His disciples that to such   
   as these the Kingdom of heaven belongs", he told them.   
      
   "Your work", the Holy Father went on, "carried out within the framework of the   
   recommendations made in the first instance by the Nolan Report and subsequently   
   by the Cumberlege Commission, has made a vital contribution to the promotion of   
   safe environments for young people. It helps to ensure that the preventative   
   measures put in place are effective, that they are maintained with vigilance,   
   and that any allegations of abuse are dealt with swiftly and justly. On behalf   
   of the many children you serve and their parents, let me thank you for the good   
   work that you have done and continue to do in this field.   
      
   "It is deplorable that, in such marked contrast to the Church's long tradition   
   of care for them, children have suffered abuse and mistreatment at the hands of   
   some priests and religious", he added. "We have all become much more aware of   
   the need to safeguard children, and you are an important part of the Church's   
   broad-ranging response to the problem.   
      
   "While there are never grounds for complacency, credit should be given where it   
   is due: the efforts of the Church in this country and elsewhere, especially in   
   the last ten years, to guarantee the safety of children and young people and to   
   show them every respect as they grow to maturity, should be acknowledged. I   
   pray that your generous service will help to reinforce an atmosphere of trust   
   and renewed commitment to the welfare of children, who are such a precious gift   
   from God".   
      
   At the conclusion of the meeting, Benedict XVI travelled by popemobile to Hyde   
   Park where he presided at a prayer vigil for tomorrow's beatification of   
   Cardinal John Henry Newman.   
   PV-UNITED KINGDOM/VIS 20100919 (380)   
      
   SUMMARY   
      
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    * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS =Meridian, MS= bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)