Smack for Pope from advisers

Pope Francis' smacking comments drew fire. Photo / AP

A New Zealander who advises Pope Francis on combating sexual abuse has criticised the pontiff's support of smacking children.

Dr Krysten Winter-Green, who is based in Boston and works with abused young people, said there was no type of corporal punishment for children that was acceptable.

Dr Winter-Green has served in dioceses around the world with homeless persons and those living with Aids. She specialises in areas of child abuse that include forensics, assessment and treatment of priest/clergy offenders.

Pope Francis said it was okay for parents to spank their children if their dignity was respected.

"One time, I heard a father say, 'I sometimes have to smack my children a bit, but never in the face so as to not humiliate them'," the Pope said. "How beautiful!"

But members of the Pope's newly established sex abuse commission criticised his remarks, saying: "You don't hit kids."

The 17-member Vatican commission said it would make recommendations to the papacy on protecting children from corporal punishment as a result of his remarks.

Commission member Peter Saunders, who was sexually abused by a priest as a teen, said the Pope should revise his comments, given that "millions of children around the world are beaten every day".

"There is no place in this day and age for having physical punishment, for inflicting pain, in terms of how you discipline your children."

- Independent