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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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Italy joins growing number of churches to observe national day of prayer for victims of clerical child sexual abuse
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The 1st National Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Abuse takes place across Italy’s diocese on November 18. Bishop Lorenzo Ghizzoni of Ravenna-Cervia and President of the National Service for the Protection of Minors, explains that this is "an occasion to be enhanced in the local Churches thanks to the commitment of diocesan representatives, parish priests, consecrated persons, …
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Card. O' Malley: Verification of Safeguarding policies key factor of accountability
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On Thursday November 4, Tutela Minorum President Cardinal Sean O' Malley addressed participants in a study convention presenting the results of Project SAFE. Sponsored by the European Union the project focused on promoting child safeguarding in three Italian associations that work specifically with children, adolescents and vulnerable adults: The Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII, Azione Cattolica and Centro Sportivo Italiano. Below …
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The following letter and introduction from the President of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is available in the original Italian. In questo tempo di rinnovamento e conversione pastorale in cui la Chiesa affronta lo scandalo e le ferite degli abusi sessuali inferti in ogni luogo a così tanti figli di Dio, il nostro Santo Padre ha ricevuto …
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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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Indian Church opens National Safeguarding Centre
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By Fr Joshan Rodrigues. A significant step forward was taken by the Catholic Church in India with regards to the protection of minors and vulnerable persons, with the inauguration of the National Safeguarding Centre on the 8th of September 2021, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The establishment of the Centre is an initiative of His …
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Card. O’ Malley on CIASE Report: challenges our comprehension of victims' suffering
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Statement by H.E. Cardinal Seán Patrick O'Malley OFM Cap. President of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, welcoming the publication of Final Report of the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church in France (CIASE) https://www.ciase.fr/ The report commissioned by the Episcopal Conference of France is an indictment of the failures of leadership in the Church and those holding …
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Card. O' Malley: Clerical Abuse Survivors, courageous witnesses of faith
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Abuse and its cover up must stop and the wrongs done to God’s people must be corrected
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Cardinal O’Malley: Sexual abuse crisis requires a ‘pastoral conversion’
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The President of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors opens a safeguarding conference in the Polish city of Warsaw, and reiterates Pope Francis’ invitation for the Church in Eastern and Central Europe to undergo a pastoral conversion. By Devin Watkins “Listening to, acknowledging survivors and sincerely seeking their pardon are indispensable steps on this journey of renewal.” Cardinal …
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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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A Conference of Central and Eastern European Churches
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Our Common Mission of Safeguarding God’s Children is the theme of an international conference gathering representatives of Episcopal Conferences and professionals working in the field of child and youth protection in nearly 20 countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Over three days, Church leaders and safeguarding delegates will look at the response to the crisis of the sexual abuse of minors by …
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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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