The Vatican has released its inaugural annual report assessing the Catholic Church’s global efforts to prevent abuse, with findings covering dioceses across continents, including Africa, Oceania, and the Americas.
Published by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, this 50-page report represents the first in a series planned to evaluate and enhance safeguarding measures across dioceses, Catholic organizations, and religious orders over the next five to six years.
The Catholic Church has been taking major steps in its fight to protect children and protect against abuse, worldwide.
Released on October 29, the report highlights significant resource gaps in safeguarding efforts, especially in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia, where limited dedicated resources hinder the establishment and improvement of abuse prevention measures.
A prominent issue noted in the report is the Roman Curia’s lack of transparency in its procedures and juridical processes, which the commission believes could erode trust among the faithful, particularly within survivor communities. The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) was singled out for slow case processing and protracted canonical proceedings that can risk retraumatizing victims.
Although the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors became part of the DDF in 2022 following Pope Francis’ reform of the Roman Curia, it maintains a stance of independence, frequently underscoring its autonomy in both assessment and advocacy.
The commission further recommended the appointment of a dedicated victim advocate or ombudsman within the Vatican to offer direct support to survivors. Additionally, it proposed an in-depth examination of compensation policies to better address victim needs.
It’s important to note that the report does not audit instances of abuse but instead reviews the policies and procedures established to prevent it. Future reports may expand to assess the prevalence of abuse, alongside measuring the Church’s progress in reducing and preventing such cases.
This pilot report evaluated safeguarding practices across a dozen countries, including Mexico, Belgium, Cameroon, and Papua New Guinea, as well as select religious orders and Caritas’ regional offices. The findings varied significantly across regions. While parts of Europe exhibit more advanced safeguarding policies, including trauma-sensitive support structures, areas in Central and South America, Africa, and parts of Asia encounter substantial hurdles due to resource limitations and insufficient training.
The commission highlighted multiple barriers impacting safeguarding efforts, from cultural and financial challenges to a lack of specialized personnel in fields such as canon law and psychology.
In Papua New Guinea, resource constraints severely restrict training opportunities for safeguarding experts, and the high cost of essential rape kits poses a challenge in gathering evidence for criminal cases. Similarly, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a shortage of experts trained in canon law and psychology hampers the effective functioning of Church safeguarding offices.
This report marks a significant step in the Church’s journey towards accountability and transparency in safeguarding, setting a foundation for more rigorous evaluations and future improvements in abuse prevention worldwide.
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