"Dismay and regret": these are the sentiments expressed by the bishops of Sardinia regarding the statements of the Regional Ombudsman for Children and Adolescents, Carla Puligheddu, regarding the abuse allegedly perpetrated against minors by members of the clergy. In January, at the Regional Council, which appointed her, and yesterday in a TV interview, Puligheddu spoke of 37 confirmed cases between 2020 and 2025, but, she maintained, proceedings have been initiated for only two. She drew this data from a report by the Permanent Observatory on Abuse.
The bishops' dismay arises " not because of the gravity of the issue, which concerns society as a whole, and which sees the Church—in Sardinia, Italy, and worldwide—counteracting the phenomenon through awareness-raising and education, but because of the superficiality and casualness with which the Guarantor itself has presented figures and data with no real basis, as well as the gratuitousness of references and accusations of criminal relevance that the bishops reject with determination and disdain," the prelates say.
For the Sardinian Episcopal Conference, this is "unfounded news" and it is surprising that "it is being presented publicly, exposing an institution of the Regional Council to a communication without any credible data."
All dioceses, the CEI statement continues, "have established a diocesan or inter-diocesan service for the protection of minors and vulnerable adults, drawing on trained and competent professionals who staff local listening centers. All local Churches are firmly aware that this is an essential and unstoppable journey, to be undertaken with courage and a spirit of collaboration among all stakeholders."
Puligheddu, when called into question, doesn't back down and reiterates: "I have only done my duty as guarantor: I have released data regarding incidents in which minors are victims. Outside the Church, especially, because the worst numbers come from families. But also within it." The bishops, she continues, "should look at their own affairs, rather than issuing notes that I would call 'veiled threats.' And if they discover abuse, they should send the documents to the ordinary court, rather than proceeding with transfers of those involved," she emphasizes with strong language. And regarding the accusation of falsifying the data, disputed by the CEI, Puligheddu adds: "They should challenge the Observatory, not me."
Comandini's speech
Regional Council President Piero Comandini weighed in on the matter, noting that the law establishing the Regional Ombudsman for Children and Adolescents requires that he or she carry out his or her duties with complete autonomy and independent judgment and assessment, without being subject to any form of hierarchical or functional control. "While respecting the law and the full autonomy of the current Ombudsman," Comandini clarified, "as representatives of the Regional Council, we distance ourselves from statements made to the press regarding the abuse of minors by members of the clergy. We believe that such important and sensitive issues must be addressed with the utmost care, respect, and authority. Generalization and sensationalism neither favor nor assist the search for truth nor the difficult journey undertaken long ago by the Church itself."