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

In the tenth episode of Inside Safeguarding, William Roberts guides listeners through the latest developments, highlighting how safeguarding takes shape through collaboration, formation, and sustained dialogue.This episode brings together insights from across Brazil, Italy, Africa, and Asia, where safeguarding efforts are unfolding through agreements, training initiatives, and regional cooperation. In conversation with Professor Benyam Dawit Mezmur, the discussion turns to the realities of implementing safeguarding in diverse contexts across the African continent. Drawing on his experience at both regional and international levels, he reflects on the challenges of sustainability, the importance of culturally grounded frameworks, and the need to move from policy to practice in meaningful and lasting ways. 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 this special edition of Inside Safeguarding, we mark the departure of Teresa Morris Kettelkamp, who concludes her service as Adjunct Secretary of the Commission after more than a decade of work in safeguarding.In this conversation, William Roberts speaks with Teresa Morris Kettelkamp about her years of service within the Commission and her broader career in law enforcement and child protection. Reflecting on her experience across different institutional contexts, she shares insights into the evolution of safeguarding in the Church, the challenges of building accountability, and the importance of translating policy into practice.Hosted by William Roberts, Inside Safeguarding brings you conversations with those working at the forefront of safeguarding, offering insight into the ongoing efforts to promote accountability, justice, and care across the global Church.For more information, visit tutelaminorum.va

In the eighth episode of Inside Safeguarding, we explore how safeguarding is being shaped through leadership, formation, and accountability, as the Commission continues its work at the start of a new year.In this episode, William Roberts reflects on key developments from the past month, including Pope Leo XIV’s remarks on the abuse crisis and the central responsibility of listening to victims and survivors. The episode also looks at safeguarding formation with the Capuchins in Cape Verde, new wellbeing initiatives for Curial staff working with sensitive cases, and a Commission-hosted webinar addressing the management of high-risk cases in ministry.In the second part of the episode, William is joined by Teresa Devlin, Commission member, for an in-depth conversation on the Universal Guidelines Framework. Together, they discuss how the Framework was developed, what emerged from its pilot phases across different regions, and how it aims to support safeguarding as a living practice rooted in both accountability and pastoral responsibility.Hosted by William Roberts, Inside Safeguarding brings you monthly insights into the work of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, following how safeguarding is being developed, challenged, and strengthened across the global Church.For more information, visit tutelaminorum.va

In the seventh episode of Inside Safeguarding, we close the year with a special retrospective edition reflecting on the Commission’s work, challenges, and milestones over the past twelve months.In this conversation, William Roberts speaks with Monsignor Ali Herrera, Secretary of the Commission, who looks back on the year’s key developments in safeguarding, the lessons learned from the Commission’s global engagement, and the priorities emerging as the work continues into the year ahead.Hosted by William Roberts, Inside Safeguarding brings you monthly insights from global experts working to end abuse and promote a culture of accountability and care.For more information visit tutelaminorum.org

In the sixth episode of Inside Safeguarding, we sit down with Sr Linah Siabana, a religious sister deeply engaged in safeguarding formation across Africa and a speaker at the recent Building Communities that Safeguard Dignity conference.In this conversation, Sr Siabana reflects on the realities she encounters in her safeguarding work, the importance of formation within religious life, and the practical steps communities can take to build environments where trust and protection can take root. She also shares her experience of the conference and her hopes for strengthening collaboration across regions and congregations.Hosted by William Roberts, Inside Safeguarding brings you monthly insights from global experts working to end abuse and promote a culture of accountability and care.For more information visit tutelaminorum.org