The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors presented its annual report this week, in which it notes progress in some dioceses and episcopal conferences, but also clearly points out serious deficiencies and resistances within the universal Church in preventing abuse and caring for victims. Mons. Thibault Verny, president of the commission, states that prevention against abuse is not an option, but the indispensable condition for the Gospel to be heard and credible. This was reported by ACI Prensa, following the press conference held in the Vatican.
The report, made public in the Vatican, acknowledges that there are still countries and dioceses where minimum protocols have not been established to receive complaints, provide accompaniment to victims, or guarantee transparent procedures.
Lack of Accountability
The document highlights that, despite normative advances, practical application remains uneven. There are still dioceses where bishops do not adequately account for cases and where protocols are not applied uniformly. The Commission emphasizes the need for greater oversight and follow-up so that measures do not remain mere statements of principle.
In this regard, the report stresses that the lack of a culture of accountability in some ecclesial settings constitutes one of the main weaknesses in the fight against abuse.
Care for Victims and Justice
During his intervention, Mons. Verny invited the Church to “walk not only for the victims and survivors, but with them” in a process of institutional conversion that goes beyond mere legal reforms. He asked that canonical procedures be embodied in each local reality: that norms not remain in documents, but be translated into ongoing vigilance in parishes, seminaries, and religious communities.
The Commission denounces that in many places, institutional solutions and ecclesial reputation are still prioritized over the care of those who suffered abuse. “The Church must become a safe place for minors and the vulnerable, and not a space of impunity”, the report underscores.
An Urgent Call to Action
The Vatican body calls on bishops, religious superiors, and ecclesial leaders not to limit themselves to formalities, but to commit effectively to creating safe environments, actively listening to victims, and ensuring real accountability. It also emphasizes the importance of training priests, religious, and laity in abuse prevention.
Verny also recalled that the report was delivered to Pope Leo XIV on September 12, and noted that its mission goes beyond technical work: “I have come to understand our mission as not only crucial, but also as a permanent pilgrimage”. In this sense, he invited to embody the Gospel through concrete actions, prioritizing faith, charity, and justice in protection initiatives.
Finally, the report concludes by recalling that the Church's credibility in this field depends on its ability to move from words to deeds: it is not enough to recognize past errors; it is necessary to build a culture of transparency and responsibility in the present.
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