Vatican City, 27 March 2026 — Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of the Adjunct Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM) 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 President, Archbishop Thibault Verny, who expressed both gratitude and sadness at her departure.

Kettelkamp has served the Commission for more than a decade, bringing a distinguished background in law enforcement and an steady dedication to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults within the global Church. Archbishop Verny highlighted her “wisdom, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to victim/survivors,” noting that her contributions have left “a lasting mark on the work of the Commission.”

A Decade of Service to Safeguarding in the Global Church

Since joining the Commission in 2015, Kettelkamp has played a central role in shaping and strengthening the Church’s global safeguarding efforts. Her work has included developing universal guidelines for child protection, enhancing support to victims and survivors, and helping local Churches around the world implement safeguarding norms and best practices.

In 2018, and again in 2022, she was appointed and reappointed by Pope Francis as a member of the Commission. During these years she served as moderator of the working group dedicated to healing and survivor engagement, ensuring that the voices and experiences of those who have suffered abuse remain at the heart of the Church’s safeguarding mission.

Her leadership has been widely recognized within the Commission as instrumental in furthering a culture of accountability, prevention, and pastoral closeness.

A Decision Rooted in Family Commitment

In her personal statement, Kettelkamp expressed “deep humility and profound gratitude to the Holy Father” for the opportunity to serve the Church in this capacity. She emphasized that her decision to resign was motivated by her long‑standing priorities: “God, family, and work.”

She shared that her granddaughter, born prematurely in April 2025 and requiring emergency heart surgery, continues to face ongoing medical challenges. After what she described as “thoughtful discernment,” she concluded that she must now dedicate her time to being fully present for her granddaughter and daughter.

“My commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable persons is rooted in a conviction shared by all Christians: that every human being possesses inherent dignity, created in the image and likeness of God,” she wrote. “It is my sincere hope that all of us within the Church will continue steadfastly in the sacred duty of protecting children and vulnerable adults.”

Kettelkamp also asked the faithful to keep her family in their prayers, along with “all children and adults confronting serious health difficulties, and those who care for them.”

A Legacy of Deep Impact

During her tenure, Kettelkamp helped strengthen institutional safeguarding structures, advanced survivor‑centred approaches, and contributed significantly to the ongoing renewal of the Church’s protective mission. Her departure marks a moment of transition for the Commission, which continues its mandate to advise the Holy Father and guide the Church worldwide in creating safe environments for minors and vulnerable persons.

Archbishop Verny assured her of the continued prayers of the Commission and expressed confidence that her work will continue to inspire safeguarding efforts within the Church: “We are profoundly grateful to Teresa and hold her and her family in our prayers. Her legacy will continue to shape our mission for years to come.”