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PRESS RELEASE
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"We cannot repair what we do not recognize. We cannot restore a broken trust if we do not address the heart of the matter. This requires honest investigation, independent inquiry, and informed action. "
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On behalf of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors I send my greetings to Prof. Ernesto Caffo, President of Telefono Azzurro and the honored guests and participants who have gathered today in person and online to mark the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, which this year focuses on "Making the circle of trust truly safe for children".
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Since its inception in 2015, the Council of Europe initiative has provided a forum to bring civil society, and governments together to focus and better align vital resources and heighten awareness of the problem of child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA).
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We know that Child Sex Abuse is a global, human problem. The World Health Organization reports that one in five women, and one in thirteen men experience sexual abuse before their 18th birthday; and that at least sixty percent of child sexual abuse victims/survivors never disclose their abuse.
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The most recent data that we have received on the scope of Child Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church, is no less grim.
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In France, the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church (CIASE) estimated 216 0004 children suffered sexual abuse in the Church from in the period from 1950 to 2020. In Australia 40% of the child sexual abuse that took place in the period under review of the Royal Commission of Inquiry occurred in an area related to the Catholic Church.
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These are astounding statistics. But we cannot allow our reaction to them to obscure their purpose: To assess the measures taken by the Church to treat this scourge; and to make all useful recommendations for the transformation of a failed system based on a quantitative and qualitative analysis.
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We cannot repair what we do not recognize. We cannot restore a broken trust if we do not address the heart of the matter. This requires honest investigation, independent inquiry, and informed action.
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As a Church we must be open to learning from the advances of civil society and academia in terms of scientific models of research for a more informed approach to our prevention strategies and protection polices, on the ground and online.
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Learning from each other, we can become a Church and a society that puts the protection of children among the highest priorities. This requires investment in creating relationships of trust and cross-institutional support.
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The Holy Father and our Commission are convinced that the victims and survivors of child sexual abuse hold the key to helping us implement meaningful and effective policies and procedures. In his letter to the People of God in 2018, Pope Francis noted “as time goes on, we have come to know the pain of many of the victims” and that the wounds they bear “never go away.”
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This November 18th, the Church in Italy has instituted the 1st National Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors. The Day was established by Pope Francis through the commitment of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors as a public and visible recognition of victims of clerical sexual abuse and to promote awareness among all the baptized faithful, and non-believers as desired by the Holy Father in his Letter to the People of God (2018).
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In solidarity with the Holy Father’s initiative, on November 18th in Baltimore I will be walking in silent communion of prayer with adult survivors of child sexual abuse, their advocates, brother bishops, faith leaders of many denominations and representatives of civil society.
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As the sun rises over the city waterfront, we will gather as a Global Collective in recognition of our commitment - religions and civil society - to walk with survivors on a lifelong journey of healing for us all.
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With the assurance of my continued prayers,
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Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM, Cap.
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Boston, il 17 novembre 2021
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La Giornata Europea per la Protezione dei Bambini contro lo Sfruttamento e gli Abusi Sessuali
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Alla cortese attenzione di
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Professore ordinario di Neuropsichiatria Infantile,
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Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
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Presidente Telefono Azzurro
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Membro del Pontificia Commissione per la Tutela di Minori
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A nome della Pontificia Commissione per la Tutela dei Minori invio i miei saluti al Prof. Ernesto Caffo, Presidente di Telefono Azzurro e agli onorati ospiti e partecipanti che si sono riuniti oggi di persona e online per celebrare la Giornata europea per la protezione dei bambini contro lo sfruttamento e gli abusi sessuali, che quest'anno si concentra sul "Rendere il cerchio della fiducia veramente sicuro per i bambini".
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Fin dal suo inizio nel 2015, l'iniziativa del Consiglio d'Europa ha fornito un forum che riunisce società civile e governi per concentrare e allineare al meglio le risorse necessarie e aumentare la consapevolezza sul tema dello sfruttamento e degli abusi sessuali dei bambini (CSEA).
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Sappiamo che l'abuso sessuale sui bambini è un problema umano globale. L'Organizzazione Mondiale della Sanità riferisce che 120 milioni di ragazze e giovani donne sotto i 20 anni hanno subito una qualche forma di contatto sessuale forzato; che 1 donna su 5 e 1 uomo su 13 riferiscono di aver subito un abuso sessuale prima del loro 18° compleanno; e che in alcune parti del mondo, 1 bambino su 2 ha subito un abuso sessuale; e che a causa della vergogna, dello stigma e della paura associati alla 2
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loro esperienza, almeno il 60% delle vittime/sopravvissuti all'abuso sessuale infantile non rivelano mai il loro abuso.
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I dati più recenti che abbiamo ricevuto sulla portata di tale problema nella Chiesa cattolica, non sono meno cupi.
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In Francia, la Commissione indipendente sugli abusi sessuali nella Chiesa cattolica (CIASE) ha stimato che 216.0004 bambini hanno subito abusi sessuali nella Chiesa nel periodo dal 1950 al 2020. In Australia il 40% degli abusi sessuali su minori avvenuti nel periodo esaminato dalla Royal Commission of Inquiry si sono verificati in un ambito legato alla Chiesa Cattolica.
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Queste sono statistiche che lasciano senza parole. Ma non possiamo permettere che la nostra reazione ad esse oscuri il loro scopo: valutare le misure prese dalla Chiesa per trattare questo flagello e fare tutte le raccomandazioni utili per trasformare un sistema che ha fallito a livello quantitativo e qualitativo.
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Non possiamo riparare ciò che non riconosciamo. Non possiamo ripristinare una fiducia infranta se non entriamo nel cuore della questione. Questo richiede un'indagine onesta, un'indagine indipendente e un'azione informata.
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Come Chiesa dobbiamo essere aperti a imparare dai progressi della società civile e del mondo accademico in termini di modelli scientifici di ricerca per un approccio più informato alle nostre strategie di prevenzione e alle politiche di protezione, sul campo e online.
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Imparando gli uni dagli altri, possiamo diventare una Chiesa e una società che mette la protezione globale dei bambini tra le massime priorità e questo richiede un investimento nella creazione di relazioni di fiducia e sostegno inter istituzionale.
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Il Santo Padre e la nostra Commissione sono convinti che in questo, le vittime e i sopravvissuti agli abusi hanno la chiave per aiutarci a riparare.
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Nella sua lettera al popolo di Dio del 2018, Papa Francesco ha osservato che "col passare del tempo abbiamo conosciuto il dolore di molte delle vittime" e che le ferite che portano "non vanno mai via".
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Questo 18 novembre la Chiesa in Italia ha istituito la 1° Giornata nazionale di preghiera per le vittime e i sopravvissuti. La Giornata è stata voluta da Papa Francesco insieme alla Pontificia Commissione per la Tutela dei Minori come riconoscimento pubblico e visibile delle vittime di abusi sessuali clericali, per promuovere la consapevolezza tra tutti i fedeli battezzati e non, come auspicato dal Santo Padre nella sua Lettera al popolo di Dio (2018).
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Allo stesso tempo, a Baltimora camminerò in silenziosa comunione di preghiera con rappresentanti di coloro che sono stati vittime di abuso quando erano minori, insieme a fratelli vescovi, leader religiosi e rappresentanti della società civile.
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Al sorgere del sole sulla riva del fiume della città di Baltimore, ci riuniremo come un collettivo globale in riconoscimento del nostro impegno - chiesa e società civile - a camminare con loro in un viaggio di guarigione per tutti noi.
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Grazie per il Vostro costante impegno a favore dei più piccolo e vulnerabili.
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S.R.E Card. Seán O’ Malley OFM Cap.
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From Aid to Ownership: Reimagining Child Protection Systems in Africa
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Cape Town — The reduction of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding for child-focused programmes in parts of Africa has prompted renewed reflection on the sustainability of services supporting children and vulnerable adults. For decades, USAID has been a central development partner in sectors such as maternal and child health, immunisation, nutrition, education and child protection, particularly in contexts affected by …
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Pallottines Unite Around a Common Mission: Caring for Children Means Protecting Them
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KONSTANCIN-JEZIORNA, Poland — Some 40 representatives from 18 countries gathered near Warsaw from May 12–17 for an international meeting of Pallottine Coordinators of the Apostolate for Children, organized by the General Secretariat for the Apostolate of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate. Held at the Centre for Apostolate and Mission in Konstancin-Jeziorna under the theme "Children – Our Future and Responsibility," the meeting brought …
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Countdown to Third Annual Report Begins in Synodal Dialogue with the Church in the Philippines
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MANILA — The countdown to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors’ Third Annual Report begins in the Philippines, where a working visit has brought renewed momentum to safeguarding efforts in the local Church. From 30 April to 1 May, the Commission and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines convened bishops, religious leaders and safeguarding partners to advance …
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German Conference of Religious Orders to Feature in Commission's Third Annual Report
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VALLENDAR, Germany — On the occasion of the annual gathering of the German Conference of the Superiors of Religious Orders (Deutsche Ordensobernkonferenz), Francesco Pappalardo and Agustìn Dìaz Herrero, members of the Commission staff, were invited to participate in the event, which brought together nearly 200 representatives from the almost 400 religious institutes represented by the Conference. The gathering included sessions …
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CELAM and Tutela Minorum Strengthen Collaboration for a Culture of Care in Latin America and the Caribbean
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ROME — Two online meetings held in April between the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM) and the Commission marked a further step in strengthening regional collaboration on safeguarding and the promotion of a culture of care across Latin America and the Caribbean. The meetings were organised within the framework of the Latin American and Caribbean Network for a …
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Tutela Minorum Joins CLAR to support Safeguarding Efforts Across Latin America
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LIMA — As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen a culture of safeguarding across Latin America, Fr Agustín Jara Podestá, OFM, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors' regional expert for the Americas from the Commission, participated in the Continental Seminar for Major Superiors and Congregational Delegates, organised by the Latin American and Caribbean Confederation of Religious (CLAR) from …
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Registration opens for second Annual Encounter on abuse prevention in consecrated life
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ROME — Registration has opened for the second Annual Encounter on abuse prevention in consecrated life, organised by the Commission. The international gathering will take place in Rome from 9 to 11 December 2026. Titled Called to Communion, Care and Justice: Mutual Relations for a Shared Mission, the encounter will bring together Church leaders and safeguarding practitioners from around the …
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Safeguarding Workshop in South Africa Confronts Abuse and Builds Resilience Among Religious Women
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BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa — A three-day safeguarding workshop led by the Commission has brought renewed focus to the protection of religious women, addressing the reality of abuse and reinforcing prevention efforts within a local congregation. Held from 6 to 8 March in Bloemfontein, the workshop was facilitated by Br. Fortune Chakasara, Regional Safeguarding Expert for Africa, for members of the Franciscan Sisters of Siessen. Organised under the …
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Memorandum breathes new life into Brazilian church's Safeguarding efforts
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APARECIDA, BRAZIL – In a groundbreaking step on the sidelines of the 62nd General Assembly of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) the Commission has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with both the CNBB and the Conference of Religious of Brazil (CRB). A delegation composed of Commission president Archbishop Thibault Verny, Commission Secretary Mons. Alí Herrera and canonist Claudia Giampietro is participating in the gathering, which runs from 15 to …
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From Definitions to Relationships: Rethinking Safeguarding in the Italian Church
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ROME — Safeguarding leaders from across Italy gathered in Rome today for a national meeting focused on strengthening protection for minors and people in vulnerable situations, as Church officials and experts called for a shift from procedural frameworks to a broader culture of care. The three-day meeting, organised by the Italian Bishops' Conference’s National Service for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults, …
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Card. O' Malley's Address to Churches in Central and Eastern Europe
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"Honest assessment of our failures gives the Church the insights needed for the ongoing work of doing all that is possible to prevent further abuse."
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Pope to warsaw Conference: Misguided concern for Church reputation should not sideline abuse victims' welfare
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In a video message to a 3-day conference in Warsaw, Poland, on safeguarding children from abuse in the Church, Pope Francis calls for real and reliable change. By Vatican News staff reporter As an important international conference on the protection of vulnerable children and adults for the Churches of Central and Eastern Europe kicks off in the Polish capital, Warsaw, …
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The Voices of Victims of Clergy Sexual Abuse
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Ewa Kusz, a member of the organizing committee for the regional conference on the protection of minors for central and eastern Europe taking place in Warsaw, gathers the voices of people who have been abused by priests. By Ewa Kusz What do those who have been wounded within the Church say? What do they expect from the Church, from “Church …
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PONTIFICAL COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORS
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Largo Giovanni Paolo II | 00120 – Vatican City State
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