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In 2003 she chaired a commission for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia investigating its handling of complaints of clerical sexual abuse, working with the chief of police and survivors of abuse. In 2021 Pope Francis appointed Professor Alvaré to the Vos Estis Commission, which assists smaller countries in their procedures for dealing with complaints of abuse against bishops. She is also a member of the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, and a delegate of the Holy See on women’s rights to the Organisation of American States.

Professor Alvaré’s visit in August will not be her first to Australia – on one of her previous visits she spoke at World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008. Her visit this year however coincides with increasing pressures on religious freedom and the freedom of Catholic schools, hospitals and aged care to provide their services in accordance with Catholic beliefs.