Welcome to this latest edition of the Safeguarding Commission’s newsletter for the Church in Malta. Through this newsletter, we continue to share updates, reflections, and developments that support our wider commitment to building a consistent safeguarding culture across all areas of Church life.
Earlier this month, we published the Safeguarding Commission’s Annual Report for 2025. The report highlighted the Commission’s work in prevention and training, support and advocacy for victims, preliminary investigations, and risk assessment. The public and media response showed clearly that safeguarding remains a matter of significant importance, and that this conversation must continue with openness, transparency, and responsibility.
In June, the Safeguarding Commission will participate in the International Safeguarding Conference at the Pontifical Gregorian University. This will provide an important opportunity to engage with safeguarding professionals, Church representatives, researchers, and practitioners from across the world, while continuing to learn from international developments and share our own experience and practice.
We have also begun our first outreach project, Listening Spaces, in collaboration with the Chaplaincy of the University of Malta. This pilot initiative provides a structured and reflective space for dialogue, awareness, and engagement around safeguarding within a Church-related setting.
We recently held a productive meeting with the Commissioner for Children ahead of the development of a child-friendly version of the Safeguarding Policy. This initiative reflects our commitment to making safeguarding accessible, understandable, and meaningful for children and young people.
These developments form part of the Commission’s wider work, including the ongoing review of the Safeguarding Policy ahead of its launch in November, research in collaboration with Discern, and continued awareness-raising through radio, online, and social media initiatives.
The Safeguarding Commission also remains committed to supporting organisations and institutions that seek consultation on safeguarding policies, practices, and structures. This support is offered to the private sector, voluntary organisations, different faith communities, and other dioceses.
We consider this work part of our mission to contribute to the Universal Church through the sharing of our experience and safeguarding practice. This is especially meaningful in light of the recognition reflected in the Annual Report of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, Tutela Minorum, which encouraged other Episcopal Conferences to refer to our guidelines as an example of good practice.
Safeguarding formation also remains a central part of the Commission’s work. A programme of training sessions is taking place between May and November, including training with parish communities, chaplaincies, schools, and religious communities. Upcoming sessions include formation for all chaplains, as well as safeguarding training within educational and pastoral settings.
Through this newsletter, we aim to maintain regular communication about upcoming events, training sessions, key initiatives, and developments in the Commission’s work. We hope it will help sustain a culture of safety, accountability, trust, and wellbeing across the Church in Malta.