In its annual report released on Thursday, the Vatican’s child protection commission criticized senior Catholic leaders for their slow response in aiding victims of clergy sexual abuse and implementing global safeguarding initiatives. The Catholic Church, with 1.4 billion members, has faced numerous abuse scandals worldwide over the years, tarnishing its reputation and resulting in significant financial settlements.
The report highlighted church leaders’ failure to inform abuse victims about the handling of their reports or whether bishops found negligent had faced consequences. Additionally, the commission’s requests for information on safeguarding procedures were often unanswered, with the Italian church particularly lacking in providing comprehensive details.
According to the report, victims often felt that the church’s responses were inadequate, with settlements being perceived as hollow gestures and a reluctance to engage with victims in a meaningful manner. The commission, established by Pope Francis in 2014, has faced internal turmoil with resignations but has now issued its most substantial report to date, covering 2024 and critiquing church leadership without singling out individuals.
The report focused on reparations for abuse victims and assessed safeguarding efforts in 22 countries and a key Vatican department, the Dicastery for Evangelization. It noted deficiencies in the dicastery’s safeguarding structure, citing a lack of clarity in responsibilities and potential delays in addressing complaints.
Italy, a historically Catholic stronghold slow to confront clergy abuse, was singled out for criticism in the report. The country’s bishops were faulted for inadequate collaboration with the Vatican commission, as only a fraction of dioceses responded to safeguarding inquiries compared to countries like South Korea, which had full participation.
The Vatican’s handling of bishop removals related to abuse and cover-ups was also scrutinized for lacking transparency. The report stressed the need for public disclosure of reasons behind bishop resignations or removals, particularly in cases involving abuse or negligence.
Despite reforms by Pope Francis, including a global reporting system for abuse suspicions, the report highlighted ongoing challenges, such as the lack of resources in certain regions, including Central and South America, Africa, and Asia, for supporting abuse survivors. The commission emphasized the importance of accountability for church leaders and urged greater transparency in addressing abuse-related issues.