News
From The Commission
Safeguarding Workshop in South Africa Confronts Abuse and Builds Resilience Among Religious Women
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...
Memorandum breathes new life into Brazilian church’s Safeguarding efforts
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...
From Definitions to Relationships: Rethinking Safeguarding in the Italian Church
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...
Commission Deepens Safeguarding Collaboration with Asian Bishops Ahead of Annual Report
VATICAN CITY — The Commission has strengthened its collaboration with bishops’ conferences in Vietnam and the Philippines, advancing key safeguarding initiatives and laying the groundwork for its Third Annual Report, due for publication in October. In a 13 March...
Commission strengthens safeguarding partnerships in Latin America following Bogotá meetings
BOGOTÁ — The Commission has advanced its collaboration with key Church bodies in Latin America following a series of meetings in Bogotá aimed at strengthening safeguarding practices and promoting a Culture of Care across the region. A delegation from the Commission,...
Hungary Marks Distinct Steps in Advancing Safeguarding Efforts
VATICAN CITY — A recent development in Hungary highlights emerging progress in strengthening safeguarding practices, as the local Church continues to engage with regional efforts supported by the Commission. In Hungary, a significant public moment of...
IMBISA workshop strengthens safeguarding capacity across Southern Africa
PRETORIA — Church leaders, safeguarding practitioners and pastoral workers from across Southern Africa gathered in Pretoria from 1 to 8 March for a regional training workshop aimed at strengthening child protection efforts through the Memorare Initiative. The...
Pope Leo XIV Names Two New Members to the Commission
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has appointed two new members to the Commission, strengthening its international expertise in safeguarding, public health, and law. The new members are Dr Susan Lynn Bissell of Canada, a global leader in child protection, and Laurent...
Teresa Morris Kettelkamp Steps Down as Adjunct Secretary of the Commission
Vatican City, 27 March 2026 — Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of the Adjunct Secretary of the Commission Teresa Morris Kettelkamp. She will be stepping down from the role as of 1 April 2026 for family reasons. The news was shared today by the Commission’s...
Commission concludes Spring Plenary Assembly
ROME — The Commission has concluded its Spring 2026 Plenary Assembly in Rome, marking five days of discussions centred on strengthening safeguarding practices, deepening engagement with victims and survivors, and advancing global guidelines for the protection of...
From Our Partners
Applications Open: European Conference on Safeguarding in the Catholic Church
The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM) is pleased to announce a Call for Abstracts for its upcoming European Conference. This event is designed for Church leaders and safeguarding personnel in Dioceses and Religious Congregations from across Europe.
Nov. 18: A Global movement to protect children
On November 18, on the sidelines of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Fall Assembly in Baltimore, Cardinals and World Faith Leaders will join child sexual abuse survivors for the Pathways to Prevention, Healing, and Justice Inaugural Sunrise Walk. At...
Indian Church opens National Safeguarding Centre
By Fr Joshan Rodrigues. A significant step forward was taken by the Catholic Church in India with regards to the protection of minors and vulnerable persons, with the inauguration of the National Safeguarding Centre on the 8th of September 2021, the Feast of the...
The ISC prepares the final event of its 2021 conference: Prevention Post Pandemic
The International Safeguarding Conference’s 2021 conference focused on the issue of Prevention Post Pandemic is ongoing, and its final event is drawing closer.
Bishop Arrieta: How Book VI of Canon Law has changed
Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrieta Ochoa de Chinchetru is the Secretary of the Pontifical Council of Legislative Texts. In an interview with Vatican Radio’s Christopher Wells, he explains why Book VI on Criminal Law has been revised and updated.
Vos Estis: Two Years Later, a Conversation with Canonists
Vos estis lux mundi was promulgated in May 2019 to address the issue of bishops’ accountability for clergy sexual abuse. It was approved “ad experimentum” for three years. Two years in, how is it going?
The ISC Launches its 2021 conference On Prevention post Pandemic
In light of what has happened globally, this conference aims at creating the space for collaborative professional development and fruitful sharing about how to deal with the consequences the pandemic has had on safeguarding children, young people, and people at risk.
Pope: child abuse is a kind of “psychological murder”
Pope Francis on Saturday urged families, educational and public institutions to tackle with renewed determination the scourge of child abuse, paedophilia and child pornography, describing them as “psychological murder”.
Cardinal Parolin: reaffirmS the dignity of Our Smallest ones
The Vatican Secretary of State sent a message during the meeting promoted by our Safeguarding Partner Telefono Azzurro that focused on the theme “Dignity of children and adolescents at the time of Covid”. The Cardinal stressed the need for “a more incisive approach in the education of our younger generations.”
ACSL Says Goodbye to outgoing CEO Sheree Limbrick and welcomes Dr. Ursula Stephens as new CEO
Ms. Sheree Limbrick: “Finally, to the survivors and advocates who I have met, who have trusted me with their stories, who have courageously and quietly helped CPSL/ACSL to stay true to our purpose and maintain clear line of sight to those most horrendously abused within our Church, I say thank you for your courage, trust, determination and resilience.”