Prof. Gabriel DY-LIACCO
Philippines
Psychotherapist and pastoral counsellor
Adult and adolescent psychotherapist and pastoral counsellor for various mental health concerns including of individuals, couples, families and groups, including victims and perpetrators of abuse.
Prof. Gabriel S. Dy-Liacco is the President of the Catholic Safeguarding Institute and an Associate Professor of the School of Counseling of Divine Mercy University (Virginia, USA).
He serves on the scientific advisory board of the Centre for Child Protection of the Pontifical Gregorian University as well as on the editorial boards of several mental health journals. He has maintained a professional psychotherapy practice since 2000 in which he treats a wide range of mental health and life issues and has been treating primarily priests and religious since 2006. He provides organizational consulting services for dioceses, religious orders, seminaries, and Catholic educational institutions, and conducts safeguarding formation workshops for diocesan and religious leadership and personnel.
On December 17, 2014, Pope Francis appointed Prof. Dy-Liacco to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and this appointment was reconfirmed in February 2018.
Gabby has been married for 21 years and he and his wife, Tammy, have five children ages 6 to 20 (four boys and one girl – the eldest).
Vatican gives Commission new Statutes, Pope approves three year trial
VATICAN CITY — The Holy See today published the revised Statutes of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, updating the body’s mandate, structure and working methods more than a decade after its founding document was first issued.
Safeguarding Training Strengthens Myanmar Church Capacity Amid Ongoing Crisis
YANGON, Myanmar — In a national context marked by conflict, displacement, natural disaster and ongoing humanitarian pressure, the Catholic Church in Myanmar has taken another step in strengthening its safeguarding work through a five-session Training of Trainers for...
From Aid to Ownership: Reimagining Child Protection Systems in Africa
Cape Town — The reduction of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding for child-focused programmes in parts of Africa has prompted renewed reflection on the sustainability of services supporting children and vulnerable...
Pallottines Unite Around a Common Mission: Caring for Children Means Protecting Them
KONSTANCIN-JEZIORNA, Poland — Some 40 representatives from 18 countries gathered near Warsaw from May 12–17 for an international meeting of Pallottine Coordinators of the Apostolate for Children, organized by the General Secretariat for the Apostolate of the...
Countdown to Third Annual Report Begins in Synodal Dialogue with the Church in the Philippines
MANILA — The countdown to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors’ Third Annual Report begins in the Philippines, where a working visit has brought renewed momentum to safeguarding efforts in the local Church. From 30 April to 1 May, the Commission and...
German Conference of Religious Orders to Feature in Commission’s Third Annual Report
VALLENDAR, Germany — On the occasion of the annual gathering of the German Conference of the Superiors of Religious Orders (Deutsche Ordensobernkonferenz), Francesco Pappalardo and Agustìn Dìaz Herrero, members of the Commission staff, were invited to participate in...
CELAM and Tutela Minorum Strengthen Collaboration for a Culture of Care in Latin America and the Caribbean
ROME — Two online meetings held in April between the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM) and the Commission marked a further step in strengthening regional collaboration on safeguarding and the promotion of a culture of care across Latin America and...
Tutela Minorum Joins CLAR to support Safeguarding Efforts Across Latin America
LIMA — As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen a culture of safeguarding across Latin America, Fr Agustín Jara Podestá, OFM, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors' regional expert for the Americas from the Commission, participated in the Continental...
Registration opens for second Annual Encounter on abuse prevention in consecrated life
ROME — Registration has opened for the second Annual Encounter on abuse prevention in consecrated life, organised by the Commission. The international gathering will take place in Rome from 9 to 11 December 2026. Titled Called to Communion, Care and Justice: Mutual...
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...