Vatican pilot for safeguarding was tested in Tonga

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors issued a statement after a meeting with Pope Leo XIV on June 5. The commission said it updated Pope Leo on progress in the Memorare Initiative, a capacity-building programme designed to support local churches – particularly in the Global South – in their efforts to protect minors and care for victims of abuse.

The Memorare Initiative works through four pillars: establishing safeguarding infrastructure; promoting prevention through education; establishing global collaboration; and creating strategic communication that empowers local churches to communicate effectively and foster transparency.

“The Memorare Initiative is tailored to each ecclesial context. It respects local autonomy while offering essential support to ensure that all churches, regardless of resources, can uphold their sacred duty to protect the vulnerable,” the statement said.

“Over the past two years, the commission has undertaken a wide-reaching process to develop a set of Universal Guidelines Framework (UGF) for safeguarding, in close consultation with Church leaders, safeguarding professionals, survivors of abuse and pastoral workers from across the globe.

That process resulted in a draft framework that has been tested and refined through pilot programmes in Tonga, Poland, Zimbabwe and Costa Rica. The regional pilots have provided the Commission with insights into the practical, cultural and theological dimensions of safeguarding.

“These guidelines are not only descriptive – they are deeply theological, rooted in Scripture, Catholic Social Teaching and the magisterium of Popes Benedict XVI, Francis and Leo XIV,” the statement continued.

“They seek to inspire a true conversion of heart in every leader and pastoral agent in the Church, ensuring that safeguarding becomes not merely a requirement, but a reflection of the Gospel’s call to protect the least among us.

“Our hope is to present the finalised universal guidelines framework to the Holy Father later this year,” the commission said.

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors was established in 2014 by Pope Francis and has been part of the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith since 2022.

FULL STORY

Pope meets abuse safeguarding commission as Vatican coordinates global reform – Catholic Herald (By Charles Collins/Crux-The Catholic Herald)

Commission tells pope universal safeguarding guidelines almost ready (CNS)