VATICAN CITY
Bollettino
The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM) has today issued a press release in which it summarises the activities of the past year as a result of its collaboration with various local churches and religious leaders, and announces the institution of a Universal Day of Prayer for the survivors and victims of sexual abuse, to which various episcopal conferences have already adhered. It also announces the upcoming launch of its website. The following is the full text of the communiqué.
The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors works throughout the year and came together in Rome from 5 to 11 September 5 for a week of Working Group meetings (Guidelines, Healing and Care, Education, Formation, Theology and Spirituality, Canonical and Civil Norms) and for its Plenary Assembly.
The Working Group meetings focused on the updates for current projects, and developing draft proposals for the Holy Father, Pope Francis. For example, the Commission has developed a template for guidelines in the safeguarding and protection of children, adolescents and vulnerable adults, which we will shortly present to the Holy Father for his consideration.
Education is key
Highlights of this Plenary Assembly were the members’ reports on the progress of ongoing education programs, both at a local level and in the Vatican.
These initiatives are part of the Commission’s effort to be of service to the Holy Father by placing their expertise at the disposition of local churches and church leaders. Commission members have also been invited to give talks and take part in various conferences and workshops on all five continents.
These include: talks and workshops held in Australia, in the Archdiocese of Melbourne; in South Africa (SACBC), an orientation program for New Missionaries; in the Philippines (CBCP), a workshop for the Archdiocese of Manila; in Colombia, a talk with clergy of the Archdiocese of Bogotá, a workshop with religious communities, workshops with the Major Seminary and a workshop with evangelization leaders; USA, a talk with “United States National Safe Environment and Victims Assistance Coordinators”; a workshop in Fiji; in New Zealand a series of talks and workshops with the bishops and religious leaders; in Ghana a meeting with the secretary generals of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar from the Association of (SECAM); a meeting in Tanzania with child protection practitioners from the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) in Argentina, a discussion with seminarians and clergy of the Diocese of Moron, Buenos Aires; In Santo Domingo, a meeting with fifty formators from thirteen different nations belonging to the Council of Latin American Bishops Conferences (CELAM); a meeting with Bishops and canonists of Slovakia and Czech Republic; and in Italy, a seminar for Abbots of the Benedictine Confederation and participation in the Anglophone Safeguarding Conference.
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