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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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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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