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COMMISSION NEWSLETTER
July 11 2024
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- Secretaries engage Curia colleagues and Diplomatic representatives and meet with Press.
- Memorare Initiative : Commission launches 2 year capacity building program with AMECEA.
- The Commission's Vulnerability Study Group welcomes co-chair Mons Andrea Ripa.
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FROM THE SECRETARIES:
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Despite the summer heat in Rome, touching a daily average of 37 °C, the secretaries’ institutional engagement continued with a series of curia appointments and in person and online meetings with local church leaders, diplomats accredited to the Holy See and safeguarding partners.
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Photo: Ambassador of the Netherlands to the Holy See, Annemieke Ruigro
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- The Ambassador of the Netherlands to the Holy See, Annemieke Ruigrok,
- The Charge D’Affairs of the United States Embassy to the Holy See, Laura Ochla
- Doctoral students from the Canon Law Faculty of St Paul’s University in Ottawa Canada
- Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General for the Synod of Bishops
- Archbishop Giuseppe Baturi, Secretary General of the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI)
accompanied by the newly appointed Head of Safeguarding for CEI Dr. Chiara Griffini
- Monsignor Andrea Ripa, Secretary of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura
- Don Fortunato di Noto and the Executive Board of Associazione METER a notfor-
profit association that combats online child abuse.
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Photo: Meeting with Canon Law Doctoral Students of St Paul's University Ottawa
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Meets and Greets with Press
The secretaries also held two sessions of off-the-record ‘Meet and Greets’ with Vatican Press.
Since taking office, both Bishop Alì and Teresa have received many requests for interviews,
but have decided to postpone on-the-record press engagement to the autumn to align with the
media strategy for the Annual Report release.
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Thus, these sessions were seen as an opportunity to thank the press for the interest shown, to
maintain engagement and as an opportunity for the journalists to deepen their understanding
of the Commission’s mandate and mission as well as get to know the new secretaries.
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Both sessions – organized in conjunction with the Holy See Press Office - were well attended
and well received with agencies such as Reuters, ABC, AP, KNA (Germany), Crux, La Croix,
CAN, EWTN, La Nacion, COPE (Spain), the Independent, the Times, La Repubblica, Il
Messegero, CNS and others well represented.
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Work on the Organizational Chart
Over the past two weeks the Secretaries also continued their one-on-one meetings with
personnel in Rome and in the Regions to further align the work carried out centrally and
locally and continue to perfect the Commission’s Organizational Chart and workflow. Teresa
will be overseeing the work in the regions with the support of the Regional Moderators and
the Regional Experts and Emer and Stefano in the Rome office.
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Commission Zoom Meeting September
đź“Łđź“Łđź“Ł The Commission ZOOM meeting September 12th at 2PM CEST đź“Łđź“Łđź“Łđź“Ł
A link and agenda will be shared with you all in the coming weeks.
Plenary Assembly dates for 2025 have also been decided and they are:
Spring: 24 -28 March
Autumn: 29 September - 3 October
The deadline for the submission of Plenary Assembly Documents is September 9th to Emer.
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Photo: Meeting with Don Fortunato di Noto and Meter Executive Board
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Photo: The Regional Group Africa moderator Sr Annah Teresa, RG Africa Expert Augusta and Advisor Patience with the AMECEA leadership at the launch of the Memorare Initiative
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2 year capacity building program launched with AMECEA
July 2, Bishop Ali gave an opening speech via ZOOM to a Safeguarding Workshop for Church Leaders from the Association of Members of Episcopal Conferences of East Africa (AMECEA)
co-organised by AMECEA and the Commission.
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The three-day workshop took place in Nairobi Kenya. AMECEA brings together 8 national episcopal conferences. The workshop is the first stage of a two-year program for
safeguarding capacity building in the region organised together with the Regional Group under the auspices of the Memorare Initiative.
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RG Africa Moderator Sr Annah Teresa also made a presentation focusing on case management and victim/survivor support and assistance. Thanks to the RG Africa Team for their work on the
4 ground and the Comms Team for the coverage given to the event on the website and social media.
The RG Africa Team have already signalled that one of the major gaps emerging from the workshop was formation and operative assistance in case management and will be sharing further feedback in their monthly report, so keep an eye on RG Africa on TEAMS.
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Welcoming the co-Chair of the Vulnerability Study Group
On July 4, the Secretaries together with Claudia met with Msgr. Andrea Ripa, Bishop Secretary of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. During the consultation exercise of the Curia's Dicasteries, which took place from February to May 2024, the Bishop was singled out as a valuable collaborator on the matter by the Prefect of the Tribunal, Cardinal Dominique Mamberti. Following this communication, Cardinal O'Malley appointed Msgr. Ripa as Co-chair of the study group along with Justice Neville Owen.
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Justice Owen and Msgr. Ripa met online in May for an initial introduction to each other and to establish areas of research relevance. Subsequently, a list of 15 experts from all continents was drawn up with the approval of the Secretaries. The experts were contacted, agreed to be involved in the group and will be consulted individually this month to develop the first steps of the research. The second phase of consultation will take place between August and September, prior to the in-person meeting to be held from September 30 to October 3, 2024 at Palazzo Maffei. Experts have been identified from clergy, laity and religious with backgrounds in different academic research fields.
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The purpose of the research will be to make concrete recommendations regarding the issue of vulnerability and also help local churches in communicating with dicasteries in cases involving vulnerable people.
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press relase - Plenary Assembly plans next phase of Commission’s work
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Implications of the Commission’s new statutes • Survivor engagement and the Annual Report • Digital Safeguarding in Church environments and online child protection • Understanding vulnerability and strengthening prevention • Safeguarding and consecrated life VATICAN CITY, 5 October 2026 – The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors concluded its October Plenary Assembly in Rome this weekend after five days …
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President Verny opens the Commission’s Autumn Plenary Assembly
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Opening address by Commission President Mons. Thibault Verny at the Autumn Plenary Assembly, held at Palazzo Maffei Marescotti in Rome from 28 September to 2 October 2026. I am delighted to open our Plenary Assembly by welcoming you all and thanking you for being here. For some of you, this has involved a long journey or required you to make …
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Commission Secretary Mons. AlĂ Herrera Sheds Light on Latin America Memoranda of understanding
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VATICAN CITY — The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is expanding its cooperation with episcopal conferences and regional Church organisations across Latin America to help local Churches develop sustainable safeguarding structures. Earlier this month, Content Manager William Roberts sat down with the Commission’s Secretary, Mons. Luis Manuel AlĂ Herrera, to discuss Tutela Minorum’s Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across …
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REPARA: Learning from the Magisterium of Survivors
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During a visit to REPARA on 19 September, Bishop AlĂ Herrera, Secretary and Juan Carlos Cruz, member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, met Lidia Troya, Coordinator of the Archdiocese of Madrid's centre for the support of people affected by abuse within the Church. The visit offered an opportunity to reflect on the importance of victim accompaniment, …
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Bishop AlĂ: An abuse facilitated, amplified or generated through technological means is a real abuse, with real victims and real suffering.
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Madrid, 18 September 2026 - The growing impact of artificial intelligence on the lives of children and young people was at the centre of discussions during the IX Encuentro de Oficinas de ProtecciĂłn de Menores, (September 18 – 19) organised by the Spanish Bishops' Conference under the theme "Child Abuse: Artificial Intelligence and Reality." In his opening address, AlĂ Herrera, …
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Formation expands across Africa through workshops in Kenya and Zimbabwe
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MOMBASA, Kenya — Safeguarding formation took centre stage in two recent gatherings in Africa, bringing seminarians, formators and religious sisters together to strengthen prevention and safer pastoral environments across the Church. In Mombasa, 50 seminarians and their formators took part in a two-day safeguarding workshop from 4 to 5 August as part of the Memorare Initiative. Organised by Memorare Advisor …
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Philippine bishops advance next phase of child protection work
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OZAMIZ, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has taken a further step toward strengthening safeguarding across the country, building on months of dialogue with the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and preparing for a national policy workshop planned for October. Daniele Donnini, the Commission’s Regional Expert for Asia-Oceania, joined the CBCP Plenary Assembly in …
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In Historic First Commission Joins Latin America Safeguarding NetworkÂ
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BRASĂŤLIA — 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 BrasĂlia 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 AlĂ 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 UniversityÂ
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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 AlĂ Herrera NAIROBI, Kenya (July 28, 2026) — Bishop Luis Manuel AlĂ 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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Safeguarding Training Strengthens Myanmar Church Capacity Amid Ongoing Crisis
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YANGON, Myanmar — In a national context marked by conflict, displacement, natural disaster and ongoing humanitarian pressure, the Catholic Church in Myanmar has taken another step in strengthening its safeguarding work through a five-session Training of Trainers for diocesan safeguarding focal persons. The online programme, held from 20–25 April 2026, was delivered in close partnership between the Pontifical Commission for …
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Commission Marks Day of the African Child with Online Forum on Children's Rights
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VATICAN CITY — An online forum organised by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors brought together participants from across Africa and international partners on 16 June to mark the International Day of the African Child (DAC), this year coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising. The event was organised by Br. Fortune Chakasara, Regional Safeguarding Expert …
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Commission Attends Global Gathering of Women Religious in Tanzania
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DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors took part in two sessions at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation's Catholic Sisters Initiative Convening in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on 12 June, contributing to international discussions on safeguarding culture and presenting original research conducted in partnership with two leading organisations of women religious. The convening, held …
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Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and Ending Clergy Abuse
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Strong focus on the lived experience of victims and survivors in pursuit of truth, justice and reparation Presentation of the work of the Commission and the new Statutes Discussion of zero-tolerance of clerical child sexual abuse Commitment to expand protection to persons in situations of vulnerability and strengthen victim/survivor support mechanisms Agreement on closer collaboration and concrete next steps ROME …
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Commission Joins Global Summit Fostering Hope For Children 2026
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ROME – Commission staff members joined the Global Summit 2026: Fostering Hope for Children, held from 3 to 5 June, contributing to wide-ranging international discussions on child protection, research and faith-based collaboration. Emer McCarthy and Serena Viti attended the summit on behalf of the Commission's Online Abuse Study Group (OASG). The Summit was convened by the Society for Global Flourishing …
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Vatican gives Commission new Statutes, Pope approves three year trial
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VATICAN CITY — The Holy See today published the revised Statutes of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, updating the body's mandate, structure and working methods more than a decade after its founding document was first issued.Â
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Safeguarding Training Strengthens Myanmar Church Capacity Amid Ongoing Crisis
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YANGON, Myanmar — In a national context marked by conflict, displacement, natural disaster and ongoing humanitarian pressure, the Catholic Church in Myanmar has taken another step in strengthening its safeguarding work through a five-session Training of Trainers for diocesan safeguarding focal persons. The online programme, held from 20–25 April 2026, was delivered in close partnership between the Pontifical Commission for the …
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From Aid to Ownership:Â 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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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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