The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors presented its first-ever Annual Report on Church safeguarding policies at a Vatican press conference on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. Responding to Pope Francis’ mandate, the report aims to provide a transparent, in-depth look at the Church’s ongoing efforts and areas for improvement in protecting minors from sexual abuse and restoring trust in the Church.
The Commission’s President, Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap., along with key Commission members, highlighted the report’s comprehensive review of local Church safeguarding policies, global challenges, and recommendations to prevent abuse and ensure accountability. This milestone report, which reflects Pope's call for a candid assessment, focuses on both achievements and gaps in safeguarding practices across different regions.
Cardinal O’Malley emphasized the Commission's mission to ensure that "the recognition and inclusion of victims and survivors are central to the Church’s life.” He outlined the Commission’s three-pillar model: policy review, capacity building through the Memorare Initiative, and ongoing documentation of progress in its Annual Report. These three elements form a continuous cycle aimed at promoting a proactive culture of safeguarding and victim support within the Church.
The report, overseen by jurist and former UN Special Rapporteur Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, divides its findings into sections examining both local and international Church safeguarding efforts, the effectiveness of the Roman Curia, and the steps needed to support victims and prevent abuse. "For too long, the call for justice has gone unanswered," Dr. Buquicchio remarked, emphasizing the Commission's commitment to rigorous accountability and justice for victims, even as more improvements are needed.
Key challenges highlighted include the need for better data collection and resources, particularly in the Global South, where safeguarding infrastructures are less established. Notably, the report indicates that regions previously facing abuse scandals have implemented reforms that substantially reduced reported cases, an effort the Commission hopes to replicate worldwide.
Victims’ rights advocate and Commission member Juan Carlos Cruz acknowledged the significance of this report, thanking Pope Francis for his dedication to the cause and expressing optimism for a safer Church environment. “Putting this together was not easy,” Cruz noted, “but this is an enormous first step toward real justice and transparency.”
The Commission’s efforts mark a new era in the Church’s approach to safeguarding, with ongoing support and oversight from Pope Francis.