Vatican updates statutes on child protection, strengthens diocese oversight

The Vatican has updated the statutes of its Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, granting it enhanced supervisory powers and the ability to directly submit assessments of local dioceses to the Holy See. Pope Leo XIV approved the new regulations on May 20, replacing the 2015 statutes established by Pope Francis.

Archbishop Thibault Verny, president of the commission, stated that the updated statutes reflect input from victims, safeguarding experts, and local churches, reaffirming that protection remains a central priority. The reform clarifies the commission's position within the Roman Curia and its relationship with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, which handles disciplinary cases, including abuse allegations.

The commission will now be established within the Dicastery and will collaborate on information exchange, protection methodologies, annual reports, and training programs, while retaining its advisory role and direct reporting line to the Pope. A key legal change in Article 6.4 allows the commission to submit its evaluations and recommendations to competent dicasteries if it detects repeated violations or serious deficiencies in local reporting systems.

Furthermore, the commission can now participate in meetings during Vatican visits by bishops worldwide, in coordination with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. The updated statutes also emphasize promoting local responsibility and ensuring dioceses establish stable, accessible systems for reporting abuses. They encourage the creation of regional and national centers to treat victims with dignity, offering them support and assistance.

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These statutes reflect the listening to victims, to safeguarding experts, and to the experience of local churches, reaffirming that protection remains a central priority.