The report, shaped by direct consultations with abuse survivors, emphasizes “informed listening,” transparent communication, and simplified reporting
Newsroom (16/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors released its Second Annual Report on Safeguarding Policies in the Catholic Church on Thursday, outlining a comprehensive framework for restorative justice, victim support, and institutional accountability. The report, shaped by direct consultations with abuse survivors, emphasizes “informed listening,” transparent communication, and simplified reporting mechanisms to address the Church’s historical failures in handling abuse cases.
The report serves as an operational guide for ecclesial communities, advocating for “restorative measures” that prioritize victims’ healing through safe spaces for dialogue, access to case information, and robust psychological, spiritual, and financial support. It calls for public acknowledgment of harm caused and clear institutional responsibility, urging the Church to issue official statements that accept culpability.
Archbishop Thibault Verny, appointed president of the Commission by Pope Leo XIV in July, described the initiative as a “perpetual pilgrimage” toward justice and healing. The report draws on insights from a diverse focus group of survivors and non-ecclesial organizations, highlighting the need for a “listening Church” and clearer whistleblowing structures.
Restorative Justice and Victim Support
Central to the report is a vademecum for local communities, detailing steps to create environments where victims can share experiences directly with Church authorities. It defines “reparation” as a collective responsibility, as outlined in the Encyclical Dilexit nos, fostering care and mutual respect across the Church, excluding only victims from this duty.
The report advocates for comprehensive support, including professional counseling, spiritual accompaniment, and financial assistance for medical and psychological care. It also demands significant sanctions for perpetrators and those who enabled or concealed abuse, ensuring victims are not left in uncertainty.
Transparency and Simplified Procedures
Transparency is a cornerstone of the report’s recommendations. Victims must have access to information about their cases to aid healing, while awareness programs for clergy and laity aim to foster collective healing. The Commission calls for streamlined procedures to remove Church leaders implicated in past failures and clear communication about such actions.
To enhance accountability, the report proposes an international academic network involving Catholic universities to collect data on abuse prevention and safeguarding. It also recommends mandatory reporting mechanisms for local safeguarding bodies and underscores the role of Apostolic Nuncios in supporting these efforts.
Global and Regional Insights
The report reviews safeguarding in countries including Italy, Japan, Ethiopia, and Portugal, among others, based on data from the Commission’s ad limina process. In Italy, the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI) has established 16 regional safeguarding services, 226 diocesan services, and 108 listening centers. However, disparities among regions and the lack of a centralized reporting office remain challenges.
Globally, while some Churches in the Americas, Europe, and Oceania show progress, an overreliance on financial compensation risks overshadowing holistic healing. In Africa, Asia, and Latin America, resource shortages hinder victim support. Notable practices include Tonga’s Hu Louifi healing tradition, the U.S.’s annual victim accompaniment report, and Kenya’s guideline reviews.
Roman Curia and Social Ministries
The report highlights the Roman Curia’s role, particularly the Dicastery for Evangelization, in supporting 1,200 ecclesiastical jurisdictions. It also examines the Focolare Movement’s reforms, including an independent commission for abuse cases and victim support guidelines, as a model for lay associations.
Memorare Initiative Progress
The Memorare Initiative, launched in 2022, continues to fund safeguarding in resource-scarce regions, with 20 agreements in places like Rwanda, Venezuela, and Tonga, and a dozen more in negotiation. The initiative channels support from Bishops’ Conferences and foundations to bolster local efforts.
The report underscores the Church’s commitment to systemic change, aligning with Pope Francis’s call for transparency and accountability. As the Commission presses for global implementation, it aims to transform the Church into a model of safeguarding and restorative justice.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
Related Images:
