Krakow: The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors concluded its Autumn Plenary Assembly in Krakow on Friday, marking a significant milestone in the Church’s ongoing efforts to strengthen safeguarding mechanisms. Held from 29 September to 3 October, the assembly brought together Commission members, safeguarding experts, and regional representatives for five days of dialogue, reflection, and strategic planning. This was the first Plenary Assembly under the leadership of Archbishop Thibault Verny, appointed President earlier this year, and set the tone for renewed commitment to the protection of minors within the Church.
In his inaugural address, Archbishop Verny emphasized that safeguarding is not merely an administrative task but integral to the Church’s identity and mission. He outlined four strategic priorities: fostering a universal culture of safeguarding, establishing a shared language through the Universal Guidelines Framework (UGF), strengthening regional networks via the Annual Report, and enhancing dialogue with civil institutions. He also highlighted the necessity of listening to victims and survivors, promoting transparency, and creating accountable structures. “Commission members must act with courage and compassion,” he urged, noting that the Church faces global expectations for moral clarity and pastoral care.
A central focus of the Plenary was the Universal Guidelines Framework, now in its final draft after extensive testing across four continents including Zimbabwe, Tonga, Poland, and Costa Rica and enriched through a synodal listening process. Members reviewed the document, incorporating theological and canonical insights, before submission to the Commission President for further dialogue with the relevant Dicasteries of the Roman Curia. The finalized framework is expected to be presented to the Holy Father, marking a key step in standardizing safeguarding practices globally.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to centering the voices of victims and survivors, enhancing outreach protocols, and embedding their perspectives in every stage of safeguarding development. Discussions focused on the concept of “Conversional Justice,” a framework emphasizing truth, justice, reparations, and institutional reform as essential components of healing. Victims and survivors will play a pivotal role in shaping the Commission’s Second Annual Report, which highlights their contributions and perspectives. This report, covering the year 2024, is set to be released on 16 October in five languages and will include a focus on reparations alongside new external data sources to strengthen transparency and accountability.
Looking ahead, the Commission reviewed the Instrumentum Laboris for the Third Annual Report for 2025, which will enter a synodal phase of dialogue and data collection. Members also assessed progress on the Memorare Initiative, designed to build local safeguarding capacity in alignment with both the UGF and Annual Report. Currently, seventeen active projects are underway across the Americas, Africa, and Asia, contributing to a global ecosystem dedicated to protection and prevention.
The Assembly concluded with a meeting with members of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to collaborate with local Churches in safeguarding efforts. Archbishop Verny stressed the significance of engaging communities and walking humbly with victims: “It is through and by the victims and survivors that we journey and discern. The Church is not separate from society it walks with society; it is embedded in society. This culture of safeguarding must be lived in dialogue with society, learning from it in terms of foresight and protection.”
He also highlighted the importance of mutual learning across regions, emphasizing that safeguarding advances in the Global South can offer valuable lessons elsewhere. “We must not assume that we are safe from the risk of further abuse simply because policies have been published and offices established. Safeguarding complacency and fatigue are major risk factors. We must continue to learn from one another, respecting subsidiarity and promoting fraternal collaboration with episcopal conferences and religious congregations.”
The Plenary Assembly in Krakow, therefore, not only charted a course for enhanced safeguarding policies but also reinforced the Church’s global commitment to accountability, transparency, and victim-centered care, laying the groundwork for a safer, more responsive ecclesial environment worldwide.