The coordinators of safe environments from all the territories met in September to continue their training and share best practices. Affectivity in childhood and adolescence, regulatory developments against abuse in the Church and the generation of a culture that avoids abuse were some of the topics addressed in these meetings, which were originally planned to be held in Madrid, but the pandemic has meant that participation has been online.
Among the speakers were Ruth de Jesús, of the Francisco de Vitoria University; Jordi Bartomeu, priest and official of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; Daniel Portillo, director of CEPROME (Centro de Protección de Menores) of the Pontifical University of Mexico, the only institution in the world to have been granted affiliation with the Child Protection Center (CCP), based at the Pontifical University of Mexico, and the only institution in the world to have been granted affiliation with the Center for the Protection of Children (CCP), based at the Pontifical University of Mexico. Pontifical Gregorian University, Andreas Schöggl, LC, secretary general of the Legionaries of Christ.
Ruth de Jesús, psychopedagogue and professor at the UFV, explained the affective dynamism of the human being and how this dynamism is experienced in childhood and adolescence, which allowed the attendees to deepen their understanding of the impact that sexual abuse can have in these stages of life. Monsignor Jordi Bartomeu made a journey through the recent history of the Church since it began to be aware of the seriousness of the issue and to address the issues of abuse, and how they have evolved the rules, the ways of thinking of the Popes on this issue and how it has been faced until the current one. Vademecum on procedural issues in cases of sexual abuse of minors by clergy.
Daniel Portillo, director of CEPROME, explained that prevention arises, to a large extent, from the creation of a culture and a commitment to the issue of safe environments, a lot of clarity and determination to do things well, which involves recognizing when things are not done well, and thus avoiding masks and facades. Finally, on behalf of the Legionaries of Christ, Fr. Andreas Schöggl, LC, detailed the complete canonical process that is followed when there is an accusation of possible abuse.
During the last day, those attending the course on safe environments had the opportunity to present what is being done in this area in each territory, in order to share good practices that result in greater strength in the commitment to prevent and act in favor of the victims.
