At a press conference Tuesday at the Vatican press office, the Commission for the Protection of Minors released its first annual report, a response to Pope Francis’ request for a credible report of what the Church and the children are doing. changes that are still necessary. protect against sexual misconduct, help authorities do their job and restore trust.
Vatican News
The first annual report on the Church’s protection policies and procedures, prepared by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, was presented at the Vatican Press Office on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
On the occasion, the President of the Commission, Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley, OFM Cover.; the jurist Maud de Boer-Buccicchio, in charge of the annual report; Mons. Luis Manuel Ali Herrera, Secretary of the Commission; and Dr. Teresa Morris Ketelkamp, Deputy Secretary of the Commission, spoke.
Also commenting was Commission member John Carlo Cruz, global advocate for the rights of priest abuse survivors and communications advisor, along with Sister Niluka Pereira, who serves as Coordinator of the International Center for Catholic Care of Children (CCCI Are).
transparency tools
This first report is divided into four sections and examines the situation of the various local and continental Churches, the effectiveness of the Roman Curia in matters of security, how the Church helps society in matters of security and how the Commission provides a means of accountability and transparency.
Explain how the church is doing with security, what risks remain, and what needs to be done. It lists the challenges and provides recommendations to local churches that were studied at the continental level.
However, the report also faces challenges from the Roman Curia’s Department for the Doctrine of the Faith, whose disciplinary section is responsible for justice, and recommends ways to more effectively help victims and prevent these crimes.
papal mandate
In the reorganization of the Roman Curia, the Pope raised the issue of the protection of the Commission for Minors, which works to prevent and protect abuse, which will be within the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
The Pope has reminded the department that they are independent in carrying out the most important work to help in the fight against sexual abuse by priests and has asked members to report directly to him. In April 2022, the Pope asked the Commission to prepare an annual report to provide “a reliable report of what the Church does and what must change, to help the competent authorities act.”
The commission said the document traces a process that dates back to a time when abuses were widespread and cover-ups and misconduct were common. In a new era where there is protection, reporting, investigation and care, the report observes that countries that faced the stigma of abuse have since implemented guidelines that have led to a dramatic reduction in the number of cases. He similarly warned that similar lessons can be learned. They have not been learned throughout the world. For example, it was highlighted that data and resources are lacking in the Global South, particularly Mexico, and there is too much focus on these areas.
Protection and transparency for victims
Cardinal Omale began by emphasizing that the work of the Commission, including this report, “is and always has been the recognition and inclusion of victims and survivors of abuse in the life of the Church.”
He noted that the Commission, as a permanent institution of the Church, works to accompany and assist local churches in their security ministry, and fulfills its mandate of accompaniment in three specific ways.
The first, he said, is the policy and victim assistance review, where he evaluates and suggests improvements to security policies and procedures adopted by various church entities around the world.
Second, he added, is capacity development through the Commission’s Memorial Initiative, to promote the effective implementation of those policies and procedures.
And finally, he said that the third is to report through annual reports, to document progress, shortcomings and recommendations. He stressed that these three interrelated activities are active on an ongoing basis and this iterative cycle constitutes the Commission’s model for promoting change.
progress between two periods
“The number of victims reflects a treacherous time in which representatives of the Church have tragically failed to show respect toward those we are called to care for,” lamented the cardinal. He called it “an unprofessional period where church leaders make decisions without following basic standards of policies, procedures, or concern for victims,” and it is “a dark time where the church’s ability to be a witness to Christ is distrusted.” “.
Fortunately, he suggested, we are experiencing a second phase, which he said is beginning to take shape in many parts of the world, “where responsibility, care and concern for victims begin to bring light to the darkness.” He explained that this is an era in which “robust reporting systems are in place, allowing us to listen to and respond to victims, with a trauma-informed approach”; where “risk management protocols and informed monitoring promote a safe environment”; where “the church provides professional support services to victims”; Where “those who serve and work in the church receive the necessary training to promote a culture of safety.
“This is a period in which the Church is fully embracing its mission of protection.” Cardinal Omale stressed that our journey as a Church is the story of our experience and progress between these two periods. Dr. Bucchio, former UN Special Rapporteur on sexual exploitation and chair of the report, who served as Secretary-General of the Council of Europe and was UN Special Rapporteur on sexual exploitation from 2012 to 2020, analyzed the report.
“Throughout his professional career, which spans more than half a century, he has dedicated himself to combating all forms of violence against children – and sexual abuse and exploitation in particular – at an international and global level,” he said. and heard firsthand the “urgent and forceful calls” for accountability and justice.
“When it comes to responding to abuse by priests, this call has gone unanswered in the Church for too long,” he said. However, he noted that with this first annual report, we, as a Commission, are engaging the leadership of the Church at its highest levels, whether in the local Churches or in the governing structures of the Church in the Holy See, in that call. “Recognize the urgent need to respond better.”
The expert acknowledged that this first report is “far from complete,” “but it contains a solid methodology that will evolve over time, becoming more complete and robust.” He said the report includes, first and foremost, lessons learned directly from victims and survivors.
more complete in the future
He said that in the coming years we will also develop our outreach to include religious and lay people more broadly and finally underlined: “We know that, along with many others, we must significantly improve data validation through cross-referencing with sources. “
He stressed that the report “promotes the Church’s commitment to a rigorous, human rights-based and victim-centered response to the scourge of abuse, in line with the recent reforms of Book VI of the Code of Ecclesiastical Canons, which defines the crime of depravity”. as a violation of the dignity of the human person.”
“As I have cited many times,” said the international expert, “‘children are not small human beings with few human rights,'” he stated, emphasizing that the reform of Book VI of the Ecclesiastical Law on Punitive Sanctions in the Church and this annual report. It helps guarantee that truth.
Need for better data validation
He said: “Based on my experience of reporting on thematic or local issues to the UN administration (General Assembly and Human Rights Council) as the UN Special Rapporteur on the sexual exploitation of children, I emphasize the long-term impact of such reporting mechanisms. , which is the result of a cumulative sequence of reports from my predecessor and successors, which is always the fruit of interaction with multiple stakeholders.
The reporting tools we are introducing today will enable the Church to provide victims and their communities with an honest account of ongoing progress and gaps over time, as well as recommendations for those in a position to address these gaps. can be filled.
“Unfortunately,” he acknowledged, “the vast majority of the church still does not have robust data collection practices or capabilities,” even though “data is critical to our ability to promote accountability.” “Therefore,” he emphasized, “we must commit to investing in the church’s data collection infrastructure and resources!”
time is changing
He said: “I have high expectations for this annual report – it was not easy to put together but it is a great first step taken with confidence.” “We are using words that we didn’t use before, ‘truth,’ ‘justice’ and ‘reparations,’ which in the past were ‘taboo.'”
Dr. Bucchio emphasized that times are changing, resistance is decreasing, and holding perpetrators accountable and working to prevent these crimes is vital to a safe Church.
During a question-and-answer session with the press, a journalist asked if the speakers had opinions on whether living a celibate life as a priest contributes to the sexual abuse crisis. Dr. Bucchio refutes this suggestion, saying that there is an inconsistency because this is not a case of sexual relations between adults, but “a crime”, “a criminal act of pedophilia against children” that requires psychological support and attention.
Additionally, Cardinal O’Malley also said he did not recall any serious studies suggesting there was a link between celibacy and the sexual abuse of children by priests.
In response to another question, Dr. Bucchio said that reparations to victims and their importance will be discussed in more detail in the next edition of the annual report.
