Child Safeguarding Policies in the Roman Catholic Church

Abstract:
The Roman Catholic Church’s approach to child safeguarding reveals a complex and diverse landscape across the globe. While universal requirements and structural conditions exist, regional concepts, policies, and cultures vary significantly. This paper examines the Church’s response to clerical child abuse, highlighting key developments such as Pope John Paul II’s condemnation of abuse and subsequent directives from Pope Benedict XVI and Holy See offices. It also discusses the reforms initiated by Pope Francis, including measures to hold bishops accountable and the abolition of pontifical secrecy in abuse cases. Despite these efforts, the Church faces challenges in implementation and varying levels of commitment across different regions. The paper further explores case studies from 15 countries, illustrating the diversity in responses and the ongoing struggle to ensure child protection within the Church.

Keywords: child Protection, child safeguarding, Catholic Church, sexual abuse, policies and procedures, institutional response, children’s rights