The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is about to publish its Annual Report on safeguarding policies and procedures in the Catholic Church. This pilot report, discussed during the autumn plenary assembly in Rome from 7-11 October, seeks to strengthen local safeguarding capacity through the Memorare Initiative and to review policies under the Universal Guidelines.
Objective of the Annual Report
Requested by Pope Francis in 2022, the report aims to assess the effectiveness of the Church’s safeguarding policies and offer recommendations for their ongoing improvement. The plenary also reviewed the draft of the next report, which will cover the calendar year 2024/2025, and is expected to be a mechanism for sustainable change in the Church’s approach to guardianship.
Collaboration with Local Churches
Feedback from local Churches on the Universal Guidelines was reviewed, in collaboration with the Churches of Costa Rica, Zimbabwe, Poland and Togo. The next phase will integrate these results into a consolidated protection framework. In addition, meetings with 13 episcopal conferences during ad Limina visits to Rome were evaluated, identifying local churches in need of resources for adequate assistance.
The Memorare Initiative, which seeks to help local Churches manage complaints in a transparent and accountable manner, and provide professional support to victims of abuse, is active in various episcopal conferences in Latin America, Africa and Asia, and will be launched in another 12 local Churches soon.
Work with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith
During the plenary, current procedures for dealing with sexual abuse in the Church were discussed with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and other entities of the Roman Curia. Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, president of the Commission, stressed in his homily that those who suffer have a special right to our love and that the Commission must make the Church a more Samaritan institution.
The plenary, the first under the direction of Monsignor Luis Manuel Ali Herrera and Teresa Kettelkamp, was attended by experts from the five continents and representatives of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. This collaboration strengthens prevention efforts and allows for the exploration of continued cooperation between the dicastery and the Commission.
Commitment and Hope
Cardinal O’Malley reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to protection and reform where systemic failures are identified. “Our efforts have made a significant difference and are a sign of hope and solidarity for those who have suffered abuse and for their loved ones,” he said.
This annual report is an important step towards a safer Church committed to the protection of minors and justice for victims of abuse.
