It was my first time to meet everyone, being new to the role. And it was an honour. The Provincial Safeguarding Representatives of the European Conference have been working closely together for over two years, and this was their second time meeting in person at the annual Safeguarding meeting. We gathered at the Carmelite Mission, in the beautiful city of Barcelona, from the 21st to 25th October. Our 3-day programme was officially opened by Enric Puiggròs, SJ., the Spanish Provincial, who share his experience and challenges with us. During the following days together the safeguarding delegates from each of the 13 provinces which were represented gave an overview of the safeguarding work that they have been involved in over the course of the year. Despite coming from diverse sub-regions of the continent, with varied cultures and historical contexts, we found important common ground through the sharing of our obstacles and challenges, as well as our progress and best practices. There was a special focus on healing and accompaniment. Fr. John Guiney and Dr. Sandra Racionero-Plaza presented an update on the status and content of the PCCP (Promotion of a Consistent Culture of Protection) Programme, soon to begin its pilot phase in 4 schools in Europe, as well as in all other Conference at a global level. For me, it was a time of learning, of great humility and spiritual reflection, energised by a shared dedication and commitment to safeguarding, as we continue to build our community of practice within the European Conference. A special thanks to the organising committee for this event: Susana Pradera, Tomaz Mikus, SJ., and Julie Ashby-Ellis. And to the JCEP Socius, Hermínio Rico, SJ., for his presence and guidance throughout. We concluded our meeting with a reflection of where we feel we are at as a community, and of our shared hope and ambition for the year ahead: “Dear Lord, Teach us to be close and attentive to those who ask for and expect our care. Teach us to be a passageway for your love and care for every whole and fragile person. ….. to welcome and care for the beauty of the earth so that everyone feels like a beloved son or daughter” - P. José Maria Brito, SJ.   Brian Cranmer Safeguarding Coordinator JCEP.

On April 25, 2023, the Ignatianum University in Krakow hosted a Scientific Symposium entitled "The Crime of Pedophilic Acts: Social, Therapeutic, and Legal Aspects" organized by the Child Protection Center (COD). The event took place on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of COD. The symposium was held under the honorary patronage of Archbishop Wojciech Polak, the Primate of Poland, Monika Hornej-Cieślak, the Ombudsman for Children's Rights, and Professor Tomasz Homa, the Rector of Ignatianum University. The introductory speeches were delivered by: Dr. Krzysztof Biel SJ, Dean of the Faculty of Pedagogy at Ignatianum University Dr. Adam Żak, Director of COD Professor Tomasz Homa, Rector of Ignatianum University Monika Hornej-Cieślak, Ombudsman for Children's Rights, with a lecture on "Child Protection in the Light of the Kamilka Act" The sexual exploitation of minors is a global social problem. Recent reports on the scale of the phenomenon indicate a continuous increase in cases of sexual violence against children and youth, despite increasingly restrictive legal regulations aimed at perpetrators. The aim of the symposium was to reflect on the phenomenon of child sexual exploitation in its three aspects: social, therapeutic, and legal, and to seek new possibilities for preventing these crimes, also at the legal level. The above topics were discussed within three thematic panels.The first panel focused on the social aspect. In the social sphere, attention was drawn to the scale of the phenomenon, risk factors for becoming a victim, and possible aspects of prevention. The speakers included: Dr. Krzysztof Biel, Ignatianum University Dr. Monika Sajkowska, FDDS Mgr Sławomir Nowotny, ISKK The panel was moderated by Dr. Krzysztof Biel SJ. The second panel concentrated on the therapeutic aspect. The discussion revolved around the effects of sexual exploitation of minors and proposals for therapeutic interventions for victims of pedophilic acts. The speakers in the second panel included: Dr. Barbara Smolińska, Dialogue Workshop Professor Bogdan de Barbaro, Fundacja Na Szlaku Mgr Tomasz Franc OP (moderator) The third panel discussed the adequacy and effectiveness of legal regulations in the field of criminal and canon law. During the third panel, speakers examined the latest legal provisions. The speakers included: Professor Paweł Wiliński, Adam Mickiewicz University - Fundamental rights of the victim. Foundation and minimum standard Dr. Jan Dohnalik, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University - Canon law on sexual exploitation of minors and the vulnerable - where are we and where are we heading The panel was moderated by Professor Hanna Suchocka, Adam Mickiewicz University.

We already knew each other well, for we had been meeting online every couple of months for nearly two years, so when we met for the first time face to face in Paris there was little need for introductions. We were the CEP province delegates for safeguarding of minors and vulnerable adults who met in Paris between the 16th and 18th October. We were 15 in all: the president and socius of the Conference plus the delegates of twelve European Provinces. Six of the 13 delegates were lay, five women and one man. We all work in the same field, but in very different social, cultural and legal contexts. Like all similar meetings, these were a very enriching three days: we shared our experience of what succeeds and what we find most difficult, the challenges of formation for the construction of what the Society calls ‘a new culture of safeguarding’. How do you deal with the victims of abuse, what do they seek from us? How do you motivate elderly Jesuits – and those in formation – to engage in this process? So many questions, with or without clear answers, but there is no doubt that the Society in Europe is seriously engaged in the building of a new culture of safeguarding, of offering safe spaces to those who come to us. A big thanks goes to the organising committee, and to the EOF curia, especially the socius Gregoire Le Bel, for their wonderful hospitality and the lovely boat ride along the Seine. Paul Pace Socius EUM

JCEP held an online conference on Safeguarding from June 1-3 entitled Building a Culture of Safeguarding: Understanding the Root Causes of Harm or Abuse, the event was organised and facilitated by Saoirse Fox (HIB and acting JCEP Safeguarding Coordinator),  John Guiney SJ (HIB), Thomas Hollweck SJ (ECE), Franck Janin SJ (JCEP), Susana Pradera (ESP).  The conference was aimed at Provincials, Safeguarding Delegates and Formation Delegates, or any others within a Province (and, even in the wider Church!) who have leadership responsibility in forming others, and in creating and “Promoting a Consistent Culture of Protection” [PCCP] and safety. Within the Society of Jesus, the primary safeguarding focus is no longer on child abuse or the abuse of the vulnerable.  The horizon has shifted to be inclusive of all persons everywhere, and all persons to whom Jesuits and our Lay Colleagues minister.  The radical scope of the new horizon has been captured in the second Universal Apostolic Preference where the Society states that ‘(w)e commit ourselves to help eliminate abuses inside and outside the Church, seeking to ensure that victims are heard and properly helped, that justice is done, and that harm is healed’ – an amazing dream wherein safeguarding (as Cura Personalis) and the Gospel meet. Two themes There were two overarching themes of the conference: 1) how an understanding of causes and contributors of abusive practices must inform our prevention work and our responses to cases of abuse; and 2) in light of our understanding of causes, what are we learning is important in the formation experience? The conference included input, personal sharings, and plenary sessions.  Contributors included Saoirse Fox, Irish Province Delegate for Professional Standards and Safeguarding, who spoke about research conducted on systemic factors underpinning abuse in the Catholic Church; Prof. Sheila Baroness Hollins - founding member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors; former Jesuit Provincials Johan Verschueren SJ (ELC) and Cristian del Campo SJ (Chile) who reflected on abuse within the Jesuit context and the type of culture and individual factors that contributed to the abuse occurring; (Susana Pradera and Saoirse Fox helped us ‘join the dots’ about what we were hearing); Mark Ravizza SJ, General Counsellor for Formation, spoke of how we go about creating Jesuits who treat other people with respect and care; and, Thomas Hollweck SJ, Novice Master of the Central European Province, broadened the traditional formation focus from the human and spiritual development of the individual to the institutional culture that facilitates healthy development. Network for a beginning moment John Guiney SJ and Mrs Tina Campbell, Coordinators of the PCCP project, spoke about their work and vision for the project and challenged Provincials and Formation Delegates to act on the learnings of the conference.  Saoirse Fox, as acting JCEP Safeguarding Coordinator, met with the Safeguarding Delegates and proposed a Safeguarding Delegates’ Network for JCEP. In concluding the conference Franck Janin JCEP President said that, as a body of Jesuits and Lay Colleagues, we are learning a new language and at ‘a beginning moment.’  We are beginning to create a culture, a culture which is to emerge in healthy relationships, a culture which will not emerge overnight!  This will be a Long-Term Process.  But through slow, patient incarnation it will root everything we are and do in a more authentic spiritual life.

Building a culture of Safeguarding in our Provinces and Regions. Saint Ignatius calls consolation every increase of hope, faith and charity. These words came to mind when heading from the quiet woods of Dobogokö towards Budapest airport what had happened at the Conference of Safeguarding that took place from the 26th to the 29th of March. Other ideas came into mind during that long journey. First of all, the topic of Child Protection and Safeguarding are not easy ones. The Church has made mistakes in this area and we need to acknowledge this and be humble and honest about it. A question that was raised during several parts of the conference was: “How do we break that silence that characterises this topic”. We need to address it in topic in an open way, with open hearts and with enough sensibility to understand the suffering of the innocent affected by the wrongdoing of a few. Secondly, the conference was not void of unexpected events. We were left without light during more than a day. The darkness, even if it made difficult the correct development of the conference, seemed very appropriate for the topic we were discussing. Those affected by cases of sexual abuse often find themselves surrounded by an ever increasing darkness that leaves no space for hope and recovery. Pope Francis says “these wounds are a source of deep and often unrelenting emotional and spiritual pain, and even despair”. But even in the depth of darkness and despair, the transforming light of God is able to shine. Thirdly, many of the sessions came into mind. The participants had the chance to hear several experts on the topic, from real cases and how to deal with them to a communications workshop on how to communicate inside the provinces and regions and how to communicate outwards a message of hope, faith and liberation. The conference was fortunate to have the presence of several participants from other Jesuit Conferences. “Being here with all of you has been a gift for me” said Father Lucianus Suharjanto SJ (Indonesian Province) during the closing mass, “I take many ideas and knowledge back to my Conference and I am grateful to all of you for that.” Finally, the participants worked in groups to discuss how Jesuits, during their formation, could be taught about this real issue and big concern in the Church. Many good ideas were raised. One participant said “we need not only to discuss protocols and guidelines, we need to understand what it means to lead a healthy live and transmit it to our your brothers in formation, then these unmentionable acts will not happen” Needless to say, after these three days, a sense of consolation came from breaking a silence sometimes so present in our provinces and regions.

And the small brave steps we can take towards the healing of hearts. Broken hearts and spirits are difficult to heal. There are no easy remedies and comfortable solutions. What can we do then? How can we help those most vulnerable move forward with their lives and regain some of that, often lost, love for creation? The Jesuits in the Netherlands offer us a simple symbolic gesture to walk towards the healing of broken hearts. On Sunday, January 29th, in the Petrus Canisius church (Nijmegen, Netherlands) a monument was unveiled for the victims of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. In recent years several other churches in Flanders (Bruges, Antwerp) and The Netherlands (Maastricht, Hengelo) had lead the way.  It all started with a promise, a promise made by Provincial superior Fr. Johan Verschueren SJ to the victims of the Canisius College. With all of them there had been mediation processes and some form of compensation but Fr. Verschueren felt that a symbolic gesture was needed to finalize the mutual understanding that had grown with time. The monument in Nijmegen is a glass fussion window by Hans Janssen, a local artist. The key word the Jesuits gave him in commissioning this work of art was 'brokenness'. The victims chose the material and the design for the work of art. Furthermore, the place where to put the piece of art was decided by them and they felt that the Canisius church, localized in the city centre of Nijmegen, would be ideal. The large number of people visiting this church to pray, light candles or buy rosaries etc., guaranteed a lasting visibility and awareness of the painful history. Even the precise spot of the monument is symbolic: it is hung in a hall, passageway between outside en inside space. This is no coincidence, since for many victims it is quite hard to enter a church building. In this way it will be accessible for everyone. “The hall was full” said Fr. Theo van Drunen SJ, one of the main organisers behind this event, “the atmosphere was very intense and the attendants were very impressed”.  “We hope that this encourages other initiatives in the Church, initiatives that heal hearts and spirits,” added Father Dardis. “This has been a small step, but with a deep meaning”   Informative note: The Superiors of the Society of Jesus in Europe and the Near East are organising a conference on the issue of Safeguarding from the 26th to the 29th of March in Hungary this year. All the provincials and participants taking part in this conference are looking forward to this event given the importance of this topic in their provinces. For more information contact projectplanning@jesuits.eu