Posts in category: News

Last week, Mr Mark Pellicano, Head of Safeguarding, and Ms Carly Zarb, Lead Safeguarding Officer, were invited by the Archdiocese of Kaunas in Lithuania, to participate in a series of meetings and seminars held at the Curia of the Archdiocese of Kaunas.

These meetings formed part of an ongoing collaboration between the Safeguarding Commission of the Church in Malta and the Archdiocese of Kaunas, with the aim of supporting the Archdiocese in developing and strengthening its own safeguarding structures.

Meetings were held with His Grace Kęstutis Kėvalas, Archbishop of Kaunas. Additional sessions were conducted with:

– The newly established Safeguarding Committee appointed by Archbishop Grace Kęstutis Kėvalas, which has embarked on a project aimed at establishing safeguarding structures;

– Diocesan and religious priests involved in pastoral ministry within the Archdiocese of Kaunas; and

– Representatives from various Archdiocesan institutions, including Family Ministry, Youth Ministry, Catechetics, Caritas, the Pilgrimage Centre, parish-based personnel, teachers, and psycho-social professionals.

Members of the Safeguarding Commission present for the National Conference organised by the Commissioner for Children celebrating International Children’s Day

Members of the Safeguarding Commission attended the International Colloquium on Children’s Right to Participation Children’s Voices: People Today, Not Tomorrow 

On 13 November 2025, the Safeguarding Commission welcomed participants to the inaugural Safeguarding Conference, hosted by the Archdiocese of Malta in collaboration with Newsbook Malta. Bringing together perspectives from the Church, public authorities, and professional practice, the conference created a shared space for learning, reflection, and the strengthening of a culture of safety and care for all.

The Vatican’s Commission for the Protection of Minors, Tutela Minorum, has praised the Malta Church’s Safeguarding Commission for its “exemplary” guidelines, recommending them as a model for other episcopal conferences.

In its 2024 Annual Report, the Commission highlighted Malta’s victim-centred approach, professional standards, and commitment to transparency through the publication of safeguarding data and policies online.

In collaboration with RTK103, the Safeguarding Commission has launched a radio programme series, to discuss important safeguarding topics. These topics address safeguarding in our communities, including child protection, support for vulnerable adults, and online safety.

This series is part of the Safeguarding Commission’s ongoing mission to raise awareness, educate, and empower everyone to play their part in creating safe environments for all within the Church.

Fr Yona Richard Tarimo is a Roman Catholic priest belonging to the Roman Catholic diocese of Kahama, Tanzania. Fr Yona holds a diploma in philosophy and a bachelor’s degree in theology. He is currently pursuing the Licentiate in Interdisciplinary Studies on Human Dignity and Care with a focus on Safeguarding at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. As part of his academic training, he is currently doing an internship at the Safeguarding Commission Office in Malta.

Fr Yona shared “I am looking forward to learn a lot and get experience from the practical setting of the Safeguarding Commission in Malta as to use the same experience in Safeguarding Children and the vulnerable adults in my context”

Mr Mark Pellicano, Head of Safeguarding, together with Ms Carly Zarb, Lead Safeguarding Officer and Mr Peter Farrugia, Safeguarding Officer: Victim Care and Advocacy, attended the International Safeguarding Conference at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. This year with the title of ‘Women of Faith, Women of Strength: A Safeguarding Conference’.

Mr Mark Pellicano, Head of Safeguarding, attended an educational event on the 23rd April organised by the Maltese Association Of Psychiatry, where they discussed #Safeguarding Persons At Risk with a panel of experts from different backgrounds.

The Head of Safeguarding, Mr Mark Pellicano, is currently delivering seminars on the new Safeguarding Policy to various religious and lay organisations in Malta.

The Safeguarding Office delivered training to various professionals hosted by the Malta Association for the Counselling Profession