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PRESS STATEMENT
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On behalf of the commission I would like to offer a few words in light of our Plenary Assembly and the Audience with the Holy Father.
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The Commission had a very fruitful few days mostly reflecting on the work done over the last four years by the Commission and looking ahead now that the Holy Father has issued his Apostolic Constitution Predicate Evangelium.
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We were very heartened today as always are with the encouragement from the Holy Father. For the first time, the Pope has placed the importance of child protection as core of the Church’s central government. We thanked him for his constant support. The Holy Father told us that the autonomy of the Commission is meant to ensure the integrity of its expertise and especially its advice to the Holy Father on these delicate matters.
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The Holy Father has given the Commission a clear mandate to animate the entire Church from within the Roman Curia on the subject of child protection. In addition to a clear focus on the important role that Guidelines should play in Dioceses and Religious Orders, the Holy Father wants us to ensure that survivors receive a welcome and an open door when they appeal to the local church in their country. Outreach to survivors needs a priority for every part of our Church. We will be working on establishing survivor support services at the level of each national church according to the instructions found in Vos Estis Lux Mundi.
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At this watershed moment in the life of the Commission I would like to that all those who have labored with us over the last four years. Because of your efforts the work of protection has been strengthened and we look forward to a more effective role for the Commission in our Church both here in Rome and around the world. For this we thank our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
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Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM, Cap.
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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. Alí 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 Alí 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 Alí 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 Alí: 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 Protección de Menores, (September 18 – 19) organised by the Spanish Bishops' Conference under the theme "Child Abuse: Artificial Intelligence and Reality." In his opening address, Alí 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 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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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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