Rome, Italy, Jun 14, 2016 / 10:38 am
The first graduates of an international diploma course on safeguarding minors received a special greeting from Pope Francis, who encouraged the students and faculty to be courageous in their work against sexual abuse.
"I want to thank you and all your faculty for this commitment to the prevention of sexual abuse of minors," the Pope said in a letter to the director of the Centre for Child Protection (CCP), the initiative that spearheaded the diploma course.
"You have undertaken great efforts for the prevention and healing of minors who have been sexually abused," the Roman Pontiff said.
Addressing the new graduates, who received their diplomas June 14 at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University, Francis wished them "courage and patience; be brave and committed. I assure you that you will receive many signs of gratitude. I pray for you and I ask you to do the same for me."