The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors has called on the College of Cardinals to be guided by “courage, humility, and a commitment to safeguarding” as they gather in Rome to elect the next pope, urging them to center the cries of abuse victims in their discernment.
In a statement issued ahead of the conclave that begins Wednesday, May 7, the Vatican’s advisory body on safeguarding said it “joins the universal Church in praying for discernment led by the Holy Spirit.”
“We unite our voices with the People of God in a plea for discernment guided by the Holy Spirit—and shaped by the cries of those harmed by abuse within the Church,” the Commission said.
The body, which promotes a global culture of accountability in the Church, emphasized that the institution’s credibility and moral authority “depend on real accountability, transparency, and action rooted in justice.”
The statement was accompanied by a special prayer invoking the intercession of St. Joseph, Protector of the Child Jesus.
“Let your Holy Spirit descend upon the cardinals gathered in your name,” it read. “As they prayerfully discern the successor of St. Peter, may they give priority to the safeguarding and protection of the people of God.”
The prayer called for vigilance among Church leaders, a deep awareness of the Church’s responsibility to those harmed, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
“Inspire our cardinals to be leaders for protection and safeguarding, defenders of the innocent, and advocates for the abused,” it said. “May they embrace the priority of accountability for rigorous policies and procedures and disciplinary measures.”
The Commission welcomed reports that safeguarding has been raised in the closed-door pre-conclave meetings, underscoring the need for a pastoral vision “rooted in justice and truth.”
Recently, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued a rare statement reaffirming its own safeguarding commitments and clarifying the role of Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle amid renewed scrutiny.
In the statement dated May 2, the CBCP expressed “profound sorrow and solidarity with all victims and survivors of sexual abuse, especially those harmed by members of the clergy,” and pledged continued efforts toward “healing, justice, and renewal.”
The bishops also clarified that Tagle, seen as one of the frontrunners in the papal election, “no longer holds direct authority over any diocese in the Philippines” due to his current assignment in the Roman Curia, and is “not involved in the governance or disciplinary matters of Philippine dioceses.”
The CBCP highlighted Tagle’s role in the drafting of the Pastoral Guidelines on Sexual Abuses and Misconduct by the Clergy in 2003, saying he “has consistently advocated for a humble and responsive Church that listens to the cries of the wounded and acts decisively to protect the vulnerable.”
To strengthen institutional responses, the CBCP said it had established the Office for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons, headed by Archbishop Florentino Lavarias, and has mandated each diocese to set up its own safeguarding desk.
“We continue to seek guidance from the Holy See and collaborate with civil authorities to ensure that justice is served and that the Church becomes a beacon of hope and safety for all,” the bishops said.
