In a world of grand schemes, the Church cries: respect is not merely correctness, it is a demanding form of charity, expressed in caring for the other without possessing them, in accompanying without dominating, in serving without humiliating.
(Cardinal Pietro Parolin’s introductory speech for the Conference of the Italian Bishops)
To His Most Reverend Eminence Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, From the Vatican, 10 April 2026
Most Reverend Eminence,
I convey the cordial greeting of the Holy Father Leo XIV to Your Eminence and to the participants in the II National Meeting of Territorial Referents for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults, convened by the National Service of the Italian Bishops’ Conference.
The theme “Generating Authentic Relationships” points towards an essential task of Christian communities. Indeed, when every person is recognized in their dignity and safeguarded in their freedom, parishes, associations, and movements become trustworthy, capable of accompanying, educating, and protecting; where respect is lacking, however, the relationship becomes impoverished, distorted, and can cause grave wounds.
In the Christian vision, respect is not merely correctness: it is a demanding form of charity, expressed in caring for the other without possessing them, in accompanying without dominating, in serving without humiliating. From this root grows the possibility of relationships that are clear, mature, and safe. For this reason, safeguarding cannot be understood solely as a set of norms to be applied or procedures to be observed: it calls for a wisdom that pervades the style of communities, the manner in which authority is exercised, the formation of educators, vigilance over contexts, and transparency of conduct.
The presence of the smallest and most vulnerable calls the conscience of the Church to account and measures its capacity to express authentic care — that is, to protect, to listen, to prevent, and to leave no one alone. It is also for this reason that the work of those who promote formation, discernment, coordination, and good practices represents a precious contribution to the growth of communities that are more welcoming and more aware.
Special attention must be reserved for those who have suffered abuse: their wounds call for sincere closeness, humble listening, and perseverance in seeking what is right and possible to make amends. A Christian community lives evangelical conversion when it does not defend itself from the pain of those who have suffered, but allows itself to be questioned by it; when it does not minimize evil, but acknowledges it; when it does not close itself in the fear of scandal, but accepts the demanding path of truth, justice, and healing.
Your meeting, therefore, takes on a significance that goes beyond the operational level, recalling the Church to grow in a culture of prevention that is, first and foremost, a culture of evangelical guardianship. To this end, the theatrical performance that will be previewed at your conference — “And I will take care of you” — will also make its contribution.
Eminence, dear friends, Pope Leo XIV encourages you to continue your work with confidence, so that in the Italian Dioceses there may grow communities where the most fragile are welcomed, protected, and loved. He entrusts each of you, together with your ministry, to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, and imparts to you with all his heart the Apostolic Blessing.
I, too, wish every success to this initiative and every grace for your service to the Church and to society.
I take this opportunity to confirm myself, with sentiments of distinguished esteem, Your Most Reverend Eminence’s most devotedly in the Lord,
Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of State
(republished with permission from Settimananews.it https://www.settimananews.it/chiesa/cei-abusi-a-nome-di-leone-xiv/ )
