Protection Commission funds safeguarding initiatives in Global South

By Vatican News

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM) has announced the allocation of 230,000 euros to support various safeguarding projects in developing countries.

During a recent meeting of the Executive Council of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, the funds were allocated from the Memorare Fund, established by the Commission in 2023 to build safeguarding capacities in the Church in the Global South.

Memorare Initiative

The Memorare Initiative aims to assist and collaborate with local Churches worldwide in training and strengthening the prevention and safeguarding capacities for children and vulnerable adults.

Assistance focuses on three areas: accompanying victims and survivors; implementing prevention policies through the development of prevention programs; implementing prevention policies through the development of guidelines and codes of conduct; and, providing an appropriate and timely response to abuse allegations in accordance with Church law.

Host of projects

Some of the projects funded include the new Safeguarding Center in Asuncion, Paraguay, which will conduct a systemic review of current policies and practices throughout the Church.

In Panama, funds will provide training for Church leaders, updating their guidelines and safeguarding practices, and establishing a system for supporting victims and survivors.

A grant to the Association of Members Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) will cover 13 West African countries, providing workshops for Church leadership and safeguarding practitioners over the next two years.

Additionally, there is a grant for Mauritius to co-sponsor the first French-language seminar on safeguarding for leadership in the Church of French-speaking Africa.

The seminar will include workshops on recent updates to ecclesiastical norms, the role and responsibility of leadership in outreach to victims and survivors, and the creation of safeguarding systems within local Churches.

Providing resources to all levels of the Church

Cardinal Seán O'Malley, President of the PCPM, hailed the move as responding to Pope Francis’ invitation to reinforce safeguarding practices in all areas of the world.

“It is important that all parts of the Church have the resources and personnel necessary to implement and maintain robust safeguarding at all levels of the Church’s life and ministry,” said the Cardinal.