Global consultation to update guidelines for abuse prevention

By Vatican News

Announcing the launch of a period of consultation on a proposed updated Universal Guidelines Framework (USF) on Friday, 23 June, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors said they aim to serve as “a model to define safeguarding standards to be implemented in every local church across the world.”

The proposed framework aims to strengthen efforts at creating a safe environment for children and vulnerable persons throughout the Church.

Updated Universal Guidelines Framework

In a communiqué released by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors on Friday, it is specified that the function of the guidelines “that serve to promote protection from abuse in the Church according to existing good practices in safeguarding,” also focus on assisting people impacted by abuse and the importance of dealing appropriately with instances of abuse.

“Based on analysis of the work done throughout the Church and civil society over the past decade, the Commission identified a series of core principles that are designed to underpin local safeguarding guidelines and policies in each local church,” the statement said.

Consultation period

The consultation period is intended to allow further potential fine-tuning of the guidelines as the Commission has invited people to participate in an online survey which will be available on the Commission’s website.

The survey is available in four languages and is accompanied by a series of Frequently Asked Questions.

The Commission is inviting feedback in line with Pope Francis’ invitation in his 2016 Apostolic Letter, Motu Proprio As a Loving Mother, in which he says  “This duty of care and protection devolves upon the whole Church.”

The responses to the survey will be reviewed, collated, and incorporated into a final UGF for evaluation and approval by the Commission towards the end of 2023.

The Commission explained “It will then be distributed in its final form to all local churches around the world asking them to update their current Safeguarding Guidelines and submit them for review by the Commission.”

Safeguarding guidelines in time

The Pontifical body went on to inform that “The process of establishing safeguarding guidelines throughout the Church was first undertaken in 2011 and was led by the then-Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

It noted that the new UGF “will require local churches to provide systems for receiving and managing accusations of abuse and for supporting all those affected especially victims and survivors according to requirements of the Holy Father’s instruction, Vos Estis Lux Mundi. “

Other requirements mentioned in the statement include:

-        accompaniment of those impacted by abuse and the communities affected

-       cultural competence in ensuing safe environments throughout the Church

-       publicly accessible procedures

-       a stated commitment to safeguarding and accountable mechanisms for church leadership

-       risk prevention measures

-       pastoral conversion towards a culture of safeguarding based on ongoing formation and training for all ministers in the Church.

Building Capacity

The Pontifical Commission also assured that “In addition to leading the process of updating Safeguarding Guidelines throughout the Church, the Commission will assist those parts of the Church that may lack the financial or human resources to ensure practical implementation of these Guidelines.”

Thus, in collaboration with partner agencies, it has established a capacity-building program, to ensure Safeguarding Guidelines are both developed and are implemented.

This program is called Memorare in reference to the prayer to the Blessed Mother that “no-one is left unaided.”

Annual Report

Finally, the statement revealed that “The progress of renewing Safeguarding Guidelines as well as building up capacity throughout the Church will be presented in the Annual Report on Safeguarding Policies and Procedures, requested by the Holy Father in an audience to the Commission in April 2022.”

An initial blueprint of the Annual Report will be released in October 2023. The first completed Annual Report containing “live data” from throughout the Church is scheduled for release in October 2024.