VATICAN CITY
Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors
Introduction
Pope Francis, in his letter of 2 February 2015 to the Presidents of Episcopal Conferences and Conferences of Major Superiors, wrote that the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors “can be a new, important and effective means for helping me to encourage and advance the commitment of the Church at every level – Episcopal Conferences, Dioceses, Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and others – to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure the protection of minors and vulnerable adults.”
The following Guidelines Template is provided to Episcopal Conferences and Religious Congregations to assist their development and implementation of policies and procedures for the protection of minors and vulnerable adults from sexual abuse, for responding to abuse in the Church and for demonstrating integrity in this work.
These Guidelines build on the work already undertaken by many Conferences and on guidance in the Circular Letter of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of 3 May 2011. The Commission hopes to assist local Churches in establishing and maintaining a comprehensive set of local Guidelines for the protection of minors and vulnerable adults.
GUIDELINES TEMPLATE
1. An introductory statement setting the guidelines in a faith context.
The Commission considers it very important that the safeguarding of minors and vulnerable adults is seen as an integral part of the mission of the church, one that it is firmly rooted in our belief that each individual has a unique worth created in the image and likeness of God. This opening section should make it clear that what follows is gospel based.
2. A statement of commitment to Article 3.1and Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The protection of children recognises their human rights as expressed in this United Nations Convention:
Article 3.1
“In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.”
Article 19
“1. States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from al forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s), or any other person who has the care of the child.
2. Such protective measures should, as appropriate, include effective procedures for the establishment of social programmes to provide necessary support for the child and for those who have care of the child, as well as for other forms of prevention and for identification, reporting, referral, investigation, treatment and follow-up of instances of child maltreatment described heretofore, and, as appropriate for judicial involvement.”
The Holy See is a signatory to this Convention.
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