Magherafelt-born Teresa Devlin has been appointed to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors by Pope Francis
Teresa Devlin, from Magherafelt, is currently chief executive of the Irish church’s National Board for the Safeguarding of Children.
As a member of the pontifical commission in the Vatican, she will help advise the pope on child protection issues.
A qualified social worker, she has more than 40 years’ experience in child protection work. She is a director of policy and research for the Northern Ireland Children’s Commissioner.
Her appointment has been welcomed by Archbishop Eamon Martin who said it was “international recognition” of the work of the Irish National Board in child safeguarding issues”.
“I am confident that Teresa will work positively with the Commission and bring her extensive experience of working with the Catholic church in Ireland to the sharing and development of safeguarding practice initiatives across the global church,” he said.
A former commission member, abuse victim, Marie Collins resigned in 2017 over resistance by the Vatican curia to its recommendations.
