ROME — The Commission has launched a special grant funding initiative in Ukraine to reinforce child safeguarding practices in Catholic pastoral and educational settings. Developed in partnership with the Roman Catholic Episcopal Conference in Ukraine, the initiative provides targeted support for the formation and training of Church personnel and volunteers who work with children and young adults. 

Teresa Devlin, Member of the Commission, emphasized the urgency of the effort: “We are pleased to support the safeguarding in Formation training in Ukraine at the present time. Children are coping with increased risks due to the war. War creates instability, with many institutions going into survival mode and potentially overlooking dangers that expose children and vulnerable adults to sexual abuse and exploitation. Through the Commission, we aim to help the Ukrainian Catholic Church strengthen awareness and preventive measures for those already suffering.” 

The programme, coordinated in Ukraine by Fr. Michał Wociał and Ms. Alla Veselska, has already funded safeguarding workshops at several Catholic institutions across the country. These include the Khmelnytsky Catholic School of Blessed Marcelina Darovska (26 March), the NGO European Family Centre “Tradition” in Rivne (30 April), the All-Ukrainian Charitable Organization “Charitable Institution – Centre for Aesthetic Education of Children” in Vinnytsia (1 May), and the Centre for Christian Education of Children and Youth at St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish Kindergarten in the Vinnytsia region (11 June). Trainings will resume in September following summer holidays, with new sessions planned for Catholic and public schools in Zhytomyr. 

“We are working to ensure that safeguarding is not treated as a side issue but becomes a core part of our educational and pastoral mission. The goal is not only to inform but to form a generation that understands protection, respect, and responsibility.” Fr. Michał Wociał. 

The initiative focuses on four key areas: abuse prevention through education, development of formation programmes, outreach to both adults and minors, and cultural sensitivity. Each training is adapted to local contexts and includes sessions on safe behaviour, identifying warning signs, understanding legal obligations and establishing clear reporting procedures. 

 Fr. Wociał is scheduled to meet online with the Secretary of the Commission by the end of August to discuss the ongoing development and future direction of the initiative 

Expected outcomes include a strengthened culture of safeguarding in the Church, improved awareness among children and young adults and better equipped personnel able to recognise and respond to abuse effectively. The Commission said it is committed to ensuring the sustainability of these measures through ongoing support and oversight.