The Vatican on Tuesday issued its first annual report assessing the Catholic Church’s abuse prevention policies and procedures in dioceses around the world, from Africa to Oceania.

The 50 page report by Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is the first in an annual series that aims to provide an analysis of safeguarding measures from dioceses, Catholic organizations and religious orders globally over the next five to six years.

Released on October 29, the inaugural report found that “a significant portion of Central and South America, Africa and Asia have inadequate dedicated resources” available for safeguarding efforts.

The pontifical commission also identified a “persistent concern about the transparency of the procedures and legal processes of the Roman Curia”, noting that this lack of transparency is likely to “foster mistrust among the faithful, especially in the victim/survivor community”. .

It singled out the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) in particular for slow case processing and lengthy canonical procedures, which it said can be a “source of re-traumatisation for victims”.

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors has been part of the DDF since Pope Francis’ reform of the Roman Curia in 2022, but the commission has frequently emphasized its independence from the department.

The commission also called for a dedicated Vatican lawyer or ombudsman to assist victims and called for further studies on compensation policies.

The report is not an audit of incidents of abuse within the Church, but rather a review of safeguarding policies and procedures. The Commission indicated that future reports could evolve to include an audit function on the incidence of abuse, including measuring progress in reducing and preventing abuse.

The commission’s pilot report assessed diocesan safeguarding practices in a dozen countries, including Mexico, Belgium, Cameroon and Papua New Guinea, as well as two religious orders and Caritas regional offices.

The commission’s conclusions varied from one region to another. While parts of Europe have demonstrated advanced safeguarding practices, including trauma-informed assistance, regions such as Central and South America, Africa and parts of Asia face significant challenges due to limited resources and inadequate training.

The commission cited critical obstacles ranging from cultural and financial barriers to a lack of qualified personnel in areas such as canon law and psychology.

In Papua New Guinea, funding constraints limit the training of safeguarding experts, and prohibitively expensive rape kits limit the ability to gather evidence for criminal investigations. A similar lack of trained experts in canon law and psychology hampers the work of the Church’s protection offices in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Zambia, meanwhile, faces cultural obstacles such as a “patriarchal society” and a “culture of silence” that prevent survivors, especially young girls, from reporting abuse.

In Mexico, cultural barriers to reporting abuse are also a significant obstacle to justice, according to the report.

In response to the gaps in protecting resources, especially in developing regions, the commission introduced the “Remembrance Initiative”, inspired by a traditional prayer to the Virgin Mary. This program aims to support the establishment of abuse reporting centers and victim services in the Global South.

Other recommendations included streamlined procedures for removing Church leaders involved in abuse or cover-ups, as well as policies that promote fair compensation for victims.

The report also suggested that the Vatican work with pontifical universities to create specialized study courses on the protection of clergy and Church workers.

Looking ahead, the commission plans to review 15 to 20 episcopal conferences a year during ad limina visits, with the goal of examining the entire Church over five to six years.

Pope Francis asked the commission to create the report in 2022. Cardinal Seán O’Malley, who has led the commission since it was established by Francis in 2014, emphasized that the annual reports are designed as both an accountability tool and a step to restoration. trust in the Church’s commitment to safeguarding and transparency.