Two representatives of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors traveled to the Argentinian regions of Buenos Aires and Chubut (Patagonia), to participate in a capacity building program on safeguarding from May 9-13. In attendance were: Dr. Patricia Espinosa, psychiatrist and member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, and Dr. Daniel Portillo, psychologist and Regional Expert for the Americas for the PCPM.

An estimated 200 participants attended the first training sessions, which covered a range of different church environments:

1. Formation with seminary superiors and seminarians in Buenos Aires.
2. Training for the National Caritas team and directors of some Latin American countries in Buenos Aires.
3. Training for the technical teams of the six Patagonian dioceses, in charge of three main areas: formation in prevention of child abuse; reception and management of complaints, and listening and accompaniment of victims/survivors, in the city of Rawson.
4. Training for pastoral agents linked to children and adolescents of the Diocese of Rawson in the city of Rawson.

Dr. Patricia Espinosa highlighted that “it is remarkable (to see) the collaborative work between dioceses that the Patagonian region is carrying out. This shows the face of a fraternal and synodal church.”

The Commission signs memorandum with Patagonia diocese

During the Plenary Assembly in March 2024, a new Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Bishop Roberto Pio Álvarez of Rawson (Patagonia), a diocese within the civil province of Chubut in southern Argentina. Addressing the Commission, Bishop Álvarez told the PCPM members: “If the Pope said he comes from the end of the world, here we are one step further.”

Bishop Álvarez stressed that aside from the extension of the Patagonian region, another key feature of the diocese is the mixture of cultures. These include Welsh peoples, Mapuches, Tehuleches, as well as people from Bolivia, Paraguay and Chile. “The assistance of the Commission will be a precious help to support to our efforts to bring a culture of care to a diverse cultural setting with indigenous people,” he said. The bishop also expressed his desire to be, as a Church, a home with open doors for all peoples.

Pope Francis encourages the Memorare Initiative

Through the apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium, Pope Francis expanded the mandate of the Commission with its insertion into the Roman Curia and the increased emphasis on its assistance to the local church.

The Commission is seeking to provide support and staffing to new initiatives requested by the Holy Father, especially the implementation of article 2 of Vos estis lux mundi. The Pope told the Commission:

“I urge you to assist the Bishops’ Conferences in the establishment of suitable centers where people who have suffered abuse, and their families, can find welcome and attentive listening and be accompanied in a process of healing and justice.”

Pope Francis

During the last Plenary Assembly in March 2024, Pope Francis reaffirmed The Commission´s members in their task to accompany victims: “Closeness to victims of abuse is not an abstract concept, but a very concrete reality.” He also encouraged the Commission in its mandate. “I know that your service to local Churches is already bearing much fruit. I am encouraged to see the Memorare Initiative taking shape, in cooperation with Churches in many countries around the world”.