KRAKOW — The Commission concluded its Autumn Plenary Assembly on Friday after five days of “intensive dialogue, reflection, and strategic planning.” 

The meeting, held from Sept. 29 to Oct. 3 in Krakow, was the first under the presidency of Archbishop Thibault Verny, who called for a renewed commitment to safeguarding as a core expression of the Church’s identity and mission. He urged members to act with courage and compassion, recognizing the urgency of unresolved safeguarding challenges and the global expectation for the Church to lead with moral clarity and pastoral care. 

Central discussions focused on the Universal Guidelines Framework, described in the press release as having entered its “final drafting phase” following pilot projects in Zimbabwe, Tonga, Poland, and Costa Rica. The Commission also prepared the release of its Second Annual Report on Oct. 16, which will focus on the concept of Reparations and introduce key new external data sources. 

The Plenary Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to victim and survivor engagement, underscoring the importance of victim/survivor-centred approaches and their systemic incorporation into every aspect of the Commission’s efforts. 

“It is about listening, walking humbly with victims. It is through and by the victims/survivors that we journey and discern. The Church is not separate from society—it walks with society; it is embedded in society. This culture of safeguarding must be lived in dialogue with society, learning from it in terms of foresight and protection.” – Archbishop Thibault Verny 

Archbishop Verny warned against complacency in safeguarding practice: “Safeguarding complacency, safeguarding fatigue is setting in and this is a major risk factor in bad decisions being made. We must continue to learn from one another, and never oppose one another. Subsidiarity and fraternal collaboration with episcopal conferences and religious congregations are key.” 

The assembly concluded with a meeting with members of the Polish Bishops’ Conference. President Verny expressed gratitude to all participants and reaffirmed the Commission’s mission to uphold the dignity and safety of minors and vulnerable persons across the Church.