The Diocese of Malaybalay in the southern Philippines has set up an “Office for the Reception of Reports Pertaining to the Abuse of Minors and Vulnerable Adults.”
The office was created following the call of Pope Francis for dioceses to have an easily accessible systems for submission of reports on abuses committed by members of the clergy.
Bishop Jose Cabantan of Malaybalay appointed Father Neil Joy Molion as director of the office.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines earlier created the Office on the Protection of Minors after it was proposed in one of the meetings of the prelates’ Permanent Council.
Father Marvin Mejia, secretary general of the conference, said the newly created office will “help or assist” dioceses on how to face the issue of clergy sexual abuse.
“The [conference], with the expertise of Canon Law and other professionals, will help in a way,” he said in an interview in January.
