He Vatican published this Saturday the updated statutes of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minorsdedicated to the fight against abuse within the Church, which reinforces its supervisory capacity and allows it to directly submit evaluations to the Holy See on local dioceses.
The new regulations, approved ‘ad experimentum’ by Leo XIV on May 20, replace the 2015 statute promoted by Pope Francis, founder of the commission, according to reported the Vatican press office. “These statutes reflect listening to victims, safeguarding experts and the experience of local churchesreaffirming that protection remains a central priority,” the president of the commission, Archbishop Thibault Vernynamed on July 5 by Leo XIV.
The reform redefines the fit of the commission within the Roman Curia and its relationship with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican “ministry” that has a disciplinary section in chargeamong other functions, of abuse cases. The commission is established in this dicastery and will collaborate with it in the exchange of information, development of protection methodologiespreparation of the annual report and training programs, although it will maintain its advisory role and will continue to report directly to the pontiff.
Submit reports to the Holy See
Regarding the 2015 statute, which defined the commission as a autonomous institution of consultative nature and proposal of initiatives, the new regulatory framework details concrete institutional collaboration mechanisms. The legal key lies in article 6.4, which establishes that, if “repeated violations of the rules or serious deficiencies in the local systems of reporting and complaints”, the commission may submit its own evaluations and recommendations to the competent dicasteries of the Holy See so that these “exercise their responsibilities”.
Among the main novelties, the organization will also be able to participate “for matters of its own competence” in the meetings during the visits that bishops from around the world maintain in the Vatican, in coordination with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Strengthening reporting systems
In the area of prevention, the promoting local responsibility and the commission is entrusted to ensure that, “in the event that this has not already been done”, they are established in dioceses and eparchies “stable and easily accessible systems for the public to lodge reports of abuse”, including through specific church offices.
Pope’s Mass in the port of Santa Cruz. / María Pisaca Gámez / PIM
In addition, the text promotes the creation and dissemination of centers at the regional and national level “where victims are treated with dignity and respect” and receive “welcome, listening and accompaniment”, as well as spiritual, medical, therapeutic and psychological assistance according to each case. Likewise, the promotion of initiatives aimed at protecting the image and the private sphere of the people involved, as well as the confidentiality of personal data.
A mandatory annual report
The new text also introduces the task of preparing and publishing an annual report, until now not expressly provided for in the statutes and of which only two editions since the creation of the commission. This document must present “in an objective and transparent manner” the initiatives promoted by the dicasteries and by the local ecclesiastical bodies regarding the protection of minors and vulnerable people, and will be presented to the Pope after consultation with the Secretary of State before publication.
At the organizational level, the commission increases its maximum number of members from 18 to 23 and the duration of its mandates is extended from three to five years, allowing only one reconfirmation in office. to ensure renewal. To improve coordination with the doctrinal body of the Church, the president or secretary of the minors commission will be appointed a member of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faithwhile the latter will send observers to the commission’s plenary assemblies.
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