The Pontifical Commission for the Safeguarding of Minors, following years of dialogue between Coping and the Vatican, has realised and recognised the intrinsic dignity of each child, in particular that of the children of the ordained and religious. Coping looks forward to further dialogue with the Holy See Commission on this subject, to foster a more inclusive promotion and actualisation of the God-given dignity of each child, born to priests and religious around the world. Please click on each page to enlarge. Below you may read the progress of Coping and the PCPM over the past number of years.
Annual Reporting By The Pontifical Commission.
The 2023 report presented to Pope Francis mentioned, twice, the phenomenon of children of priests. “The Commission acknowledges concerns raised about the definitions of “vulnerability” and “vulnerable adults”, especially vis-à-vis women religious. Other discussions included good practices and protocols for concerns surrounding celibacy and the children of priests. […] The Commission notes the ongoing effort to unite the men and women religious into one conference, and further encourages this consolidation, due to the benefits of a joint approach to safeguarding. The Commission acknowledges concerns raised about the definitions of “vulnerability” and “vulnerable adults”, especially vis-à-vis women religious. Other discussions included good practices and protocols for concerns surrounding celibacy and the children of priests. (P. 47 & 50, respectively.) The 2024 report presented by the Commission to Pope Leo makes no mention of the phenomenon of children of priests which is a worrying development concerning a phenomenon which is largely characerised by secrecy and isolation. Coping has called upon the Commission for greater transparency surrounding the developments on the issue of the phenomenon of children of priests, which which Coping is grateful to the Commission for.