Inside Safeguarding

In the fifteenth episode of Inside Safeguarding, we explore how the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is working to strengthen safeguarding across diverse institutional and community settings, from the Vatican’s own workplaces to local communities in Africa, religious ministries in the United States and the rapidly evolving digital world.

In this episode, William Roberts looks at the Vatican’s first safeguarding seminar for its employees, an initiative empowering women to promote child protection in Malawi, and the Commission’s participation in the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation’s gathering on safeguarding in religious life in Chicago. We also examine the growing threats posed by online abuse and artificial intelligence, a key focus of the Commission’s recent Autumn Plenary Assembly. Roberts is then joined by Dr Susan Lynn Bissell, one of the Commission’s newest members and an internationally recognised child protection expert, to discuss her extensive experience with UNICEF and the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children, the challenges of protecting children in the digital age, and the vital role faith communities can play in preventing violence and fostering safer environments.

Hosted by William Roberts, Inside Safeguarding brings you monthly insights into the work of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, following the ongoing efforts to promote accountability, justice, and a culture of care across the global Church. For more information, visit tutelaminorum.va.

In the fourteenth episode of Inside Safeguarding, we look at a month of significant developments for the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, from renewed attention to survivor engagement and the realities of technology-facilitated abuse to safeguarding initiatives taking shape across different regions of the global Church.

In this episode, William Roberts looks at Archbishop Thibault Verny’s assessment of the Commission’s work in September, the REPARA initiative and the importance of learning from the experience of victims and survivors, as well as the growing challenge posed by abuse facilitated, amplified or generated through technology. We also look at developments in the Philippines, safeguarding within AMECEA’s work with young people, and the Commission’s growing collaboration in Latin America. William is then joined by Dott. Stefano Mattei, the Commission’s Director of Policy and the Annual Report, to discuss the forthcoming Third Annual Report, its development and what this latest edition can tell us about the progress and challenges of safeguarding across the Church.

Hosted by William Roberts, Inside Safeguarding brings you monthly insights into the work of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, following the ongoing efforts to promote accountability, justice, and a culture of care across the global Church. For more information, visit tutelaminorum.va.

In the thirteenth episode of Inside Safeguarding, we explore how collaboration continues to shape safeguarding across the global Church. From Rome, William Roberts reflects on recent developments that highlight the importance of shared responsibility between Church institutions, civil authorities, and Christian communities in strengthening protection for children and vulnerable people.

In this episode, we look at safeguarding initiatives in India, where Caritas India has expanded formation programmes for Church leaders and missionaries preparing for overseas service; Zimbabwe's launch of new national child protection and online safety frameworks; and growing ecumenical cooperation on safeguarding between Catholic, Protestant, and Anglican partners. The episode also features a special conversation with four representatives of Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA): President Gemma Hickey, alongside board members Janet Aguti, Matthias Katsch, and Timothy Law, recorded during their recent meeting with the Commission in Rome. Together, they reflect on survivor advocacy, accountability, and the importance of keeping survivors at the centre of safeguarding efforts. 

Hosted by William Roberts, Inside Safeguarding brings you monthly insights into the work of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, following the ongoing efforts to promote accountability, justice, and a culture of care across the global Church. For more information, visit tutelaminorum.va.

In the twelfth episode of Inside Safeguarding, William Roberts guides listeners through the latest developments from the Commission, as two major stories take centre stage: the publication of the Commission's revised Statutes, approved by Pope Leo XIV for a three-year trial period, and the Commission's first in-person meeting with Ending Clergy Abuse, held at Palazzo Maffei in Rome under the banner of the "Rome Safeguarding Dialogues."

This episode also spans engagements in Myanmar, Tanzania, and across Africa, alongside participation in a global summit on child protection, where Commission staff and members have been working to strengthen safeguarding formation, research, and collaboration across the Church.

In conversation with Claudia Giampietro, canon lawyer, intercultural mediator, and the Commission's Regional Expert for Europe, the discussion turns to the publication of the Commission's new Statutes, exploring what the revisions mean for the Commission's mandate and for the wider culture of safeguarding across local Churches.

Hosted by William Roberts, Inside Safeguarding brings you monthly conversations and reflections from those working at the forefront of safeguarding, following the ongoing effort to strengthen accountability, protection, and care across the Church.

For more information, visit tutelaminorum.va

In the eleventh episode of Inside Safeguarding, William Roberts guides listeners through the latest developments from the Commission, as safeguarding efforts take shape through international travel, regional partnerships, and the growing momentum towards the Third Annual Report on Church Policies and Procedures for Safeguarding, due for publication in October 2026.

This episode spans engagements in Germany, Peru, Latin America, the Philippines, and Poland, where Commission staff and members have been meeting with religious leaders, episcopal bodies, and safeguarding practitioners to strengthen collaboration and deepen the culture of care across the Church.

In conversation with Sister Mary Niluka Perera, Commission member and Congregational Safeguarding Delegate of the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, and Monsignor Robert J. Vitillo, Secretary General of the International Catholic Migration Commission and fellow Commission member, the discussion turns to the Catholic Action for Children Initiative, exploring the realities facing vulnerable children today, the concept of a transversal approach to care in the face of compounding global crises, and the challenge of moving from broad commitments to effective, coordinated action on the ground.

Hosted by William Roberts, Inside Safeguarding brings you monthly conversations and reflections from those working at the forefront of safeguarding, following the ongoing effort to strengthen accountability, protection, and care across the Church.

For more information, visit tutelaminorum.va