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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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In Historic First Commission Joins Latin America Safeguarding Network
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BRASÍLIA — In a landmark first for the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, it participated in the fourth meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Network for a Culture of Care, joining more than 100 safeguarding representatives from 17 countries in Brasília from 31 August to 3 September to strengthen regional cooperation on prevention, formation and safeguarding practice. Strengthening …
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Safeguarding at the Heart of Governance: Commission Joins CASILEP Conference in Nairobi
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NAIROBI — The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors contributed to a continental gathering of Catholic religious working in canon and civil law in Nairobi, highlighting the relationship between safeguarding, governance and the protection of human dignity across Church institutions. The conference, organised by Catholic Sisters in the Legal Profession, or CASILEP, brought together legal professionals and Church representatives from across …
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AMECEA Highlights Safeguarding in Its Synodal Journey With Young People
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NAIROBI — More than 140 Catholic bishops from across Eastern Africa gathered in Nairobi for the 21st Plenary Assembly of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), with young people and their role in the life of the Church at the centre of the week-long meeting. Held at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa from July 18-26, the assembly …
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Commission Contributes to 2027 Brazilian Church Lenten Campaign on the care of children
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ROME - The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors has contributed to preparations for the Catholic Church in Brazil’s 2027 Lenten Campaign, which will focus on the theme “Fraternity and the Care of Children.” The National Conference of the Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) publicly launched the campaign on 23 July, presenting its visual identity, prayer and hymn. The campaign …
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Register Now For II Global Encounter on Abuse Prevention in Consecrated Life
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More than 200 participants have already signed up for the Second Annual Encounter, taking place in Rome from 9 to 11 December 2026. Registration closes August 31st ROME — Registration remains open until August 31st for the Second Annual Encounter on the Prevention of Abuse in Consecrated Life, which will bring together Church leaders, safeguarding professionals and representatives of consecrated …
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A Road that Still Holds After the Rains
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During a visit to the AMECEA Secretariat in Nairobi, Commission Secretary Bishop Alí Herrera reflected on a local saying that captured the essence of safeguarding: a road is judged not by how straight it runs, but by how many people can still walk it after the rains have come. NAIROBI, Kenya (July 28, 2026) — The secretary of the Pontifical …
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“A Culture of Protection Is Never Built in a Single Season”: Commission Visits Tangaza University
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“Prevention that begins after ordination begins late. Prevention that begins in formation shapes a person before the habits of authority have hardened.” — Bishop Luis Manuel Alí Herrera NAIROBI, Kenya (July 28, 2026) — Bishop Luis Manuel Alí Herrera, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, visited Tangaza University on July 28, highlighting the central role of formation in building a lasting culture of safeguarding …
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Ecumenism in Safeguarding: Growing Collaboration Across Christian Churches
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Recent ecumenical initiatives have highlighted the growing commitment of Christian Churches to work together in strengthening safeguarding practices, sharing expertise, and developing common standards to protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults. From 19–21 June 2026, the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE/GEKE) convened its launch conference, “Against Sexual Violence in Churches,” in Warsaw. Bringing together more than seventy …
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Commission Contributes to Launch of Zimbabwe’s New Child Protection and Online Safety Plans
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The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors joined the Government, UNICEF and partners in Bulawayo to strengthen child protection systems, boost investment for children and advance safeguarding collaboration across sectors. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe reinforced its commitment to protecting children with the successful hosting of the Zimbabwe National Child Protection Conference from July 7–10 at the Zimbabwe International Trade …
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Indian Church Expands Safeguarding Preparation for Overseas Mission Personnel
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Capacity-Building Programmes Equip Church Leaders and Missionaries to Create Safer Environments MUMBAI/PUNE, India — Caritas India has expanded its safeguarding formation efforts through a series of training programmes designed to strengthen the protection of children and vulnerable adults across Church institutions, social ministries and overseas mission settings. A three-day safeguarding workshop, held from 13–15 May 2026 at the Sarvodaya Capacity …
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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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