From the early 2000s in Boston to the Vatican to the global Church, Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, OFM Cap has brought a consistent pastoral heart and reforming vision, emerging as a clear voice in the Catholic Church for safeguarding children and vulnerable people.

Gaining wide recognition for instituting a zero‑tolerance of abuse policy in Boston, in 2014 Pope Francis called Cardinal O’Malley to Rome and tasked him with creating the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors to help the Church respond to the emerging crisis of clerical child sex abuse.

A Zero‑Tolerance Vision: “A Line in the Sand”

The founding members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, with Cardinal O’ Malley and Pope Francis in 2014

Long before global consensus on safeguarding took hold, Cardinal O’Malley argued firmly for decisive action. At the Summit on the Protection of Minors at the Vatican in February 2019, he stated that anyone who harms—or would harm—a child must never serve publicly in the Church:

“For the Catholic Church, there is a ‘line in the sand,’ which can never be crossed, and that is to not allow anyone who harms or would harm a child to exercise public ministry,” he told reporters.

He emphasised that this was not primarily punitive but protective, “I don’t remove a person from ministry to punish him, but to protect the flock,” he underscored.

A Voice for Survivors: Listening with Compassion

Cardinal O’Malley has also repeatedly stressed that survivors’ stories must guide the Church’s response, integrating pastoral healing with justice. In 2018, he explained the Commission’s approach to Vatican News:

“Bringing the voice of survivors to the leadership of the Church is crucial… This must be the priority that we concentrate on right now”.

He championed the practical involvement of survivors in the Commission and in meetings with bishops, for without genuine listening, transparency and reform cannot flourish:

“We are always anxious to have the testimony of survivors to inform our deliberations and judgment,” he continued. “It is crucial if people are going to have an understanding of how important it is for the Church to respond quickly and correctly.”

Education, Transparency, Accountability

Cardinal O’ Malley with the Secretary Mons. Robert Oliver and Members of the Commission 2014 – 2018

Establishing safeguarding as a core element of ecclesial culture has been central to the Commission under Cardinal O’Malley’s leadership.

In 2015, one year into his role as President he began focussing attention on the need to train bishops, seminarians, and Curia officials, warning against ad hoc responses:

“…improvising responses… causes great suffering to victims… and greatly damages the reputation of Catholic priests… we want parishes, schools and institutions… to be a safe place for children,” he told Vatican News.

The enculturation of abuse prevention and intervention into the fabric of ecclesial life became a leitmotif of his leadership of the Commission. Welcoming the 2022 Praedicate evangelium, he highlighted how it embedded the Commission and protection within Church governance:

“For the first time… safeguarding and the protection of minors [are] a fundamental part of the structure of the Church’s central government… The Commission will play an increasingly incisive role in ensuring the Church is a safe place for children and vulnerable persons,” he wrote in a statement.

Under Cardinal O’Malley’s leadership, the Pontifical Commission has evolved into an international platform supporting local dioceses, especially in the Global South, and promoting “One Church” unity in safeguarding, balancing cultural awareness with universal standards.

Justice, Healing, and Pastoral Conversion

Cardinal O’ Malley with members of the second Commission 2018 – 2022

For Cardinal O’Malley, safeguarding is more than policy; it’s pastoral renewal. Addressing Polish Bishops in Warsaw at a 2021 conference, he spoke of the need for pastoral conversion:

“Listening to, acknowledging survivors and sincerely seeking their pardon are indispensable steps on this journey of renewal,” he said.

He returned to the theme of pastoral conversion with the 2024 Pilot Annual Report launch, when he powerfully addressed the victim/survivor community:

“Your suffering and wounds have opened our eyes to the fact that… we have failed to care for victims… We hope… [the report] will help to ensure… these events never happen again”.

And he emphasized pairing justice with healing: “There cannot be healing without justice… where statute of limitations… has been reached, the Church has an even greater responsibility to become involved in the administration of justice”.

Legacy of Leadership and Hope

Cardinal O’Malley’s ongoing leadership is etched in his determined efforts to safeguard children and renew the Church. With integrity, compassion, and clarity, he has shaped pastoral practices, global policy, and institutional culture. In honoring his contributions, the Commission does more than celebrate its founding leader; it reaffirms its collective resolve: to build a Church that genuinely protects, listens, and heals.

 “We want children to be safe and parents to have confidence they are safe.  Trust cannot be restored unless we have transparency at all levels of the Church.”

Thank you Cardinal Seán .