Pontifical safeguarding commission announces training grants

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- To help Catholic dioceses and agencies in the global South improve their safeguarding programs, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors approved 230,000 euros (about $253,000) in grants to projects in Africa and Latin America.

The commission, which oversees the Memorare Fund to assist churches with scare resources, announced the grants Dec. 21.

The grants will go to:

-- The new Safeguarding Center in Asunción, Paraguay, "to hire a designated staff person to conduct a systemic review of policies and practices currently in place throughout the Church, including reporting and assistance services, to see where improvements need to be made."

-- Panama to fund a program to help church leaders update their safeguarding guidelines and establish a system for victim survivor accompaniment and safeguarding formation.

-- The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa to fund a series of workshops over the next two years for church leaders and safeguarding officers in the 13 countries covered by the association.

-- Mauritius to fund a five-day safeguarding seminar for church leaders in French-speaking Africa.

-- Caritas leaders from 22 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean for a week-long training program.

The grants were approved by the pontifical commission's executive council, which includes: U.S. Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley of Boston, president of the commission; Oblate Father Andrew Small, commission secretary; and three commission members -- Sacred Heart Missionary Father Tim Brennan, a canon lawyer from Australia; Sri Lankan Good Shepherd Sister Niluka Perera, a social worker and coordinator of Catholic Care for Children, a project of the International Union of Superiors General in Rome; and Irma Patricia Espinosa Hernández, a surgeon, theologian, psychiatrist and psychotherapist from Mexico.

In the press release from the commission, Cardinal O'Malley said, "It is important that all parts of the Church have the resources and personnel necessary to implement and maintain robust safeguarding at all levels of the Church's life and ministry. We thank those who have provided this support" by donating to the Memorare Fund.

Asked to comment on just one of the projects, Father Small told Catholic News Service, "Our work training the presidents and directors of Caritas all across South America is a first of its kind."

Providing social services and emergency aid in 22 countries across the region, the Caritas groups involved reach tens of millions of people, he said. "The reach and impact of those services and the importance of ensuring safe environments for young people can't be underestimated," and as they acknowledge by requesting assistance, raising the standard of care requires "focused attention."