Protocol for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons

Protocol for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons
in Internal Life and Apostolic Activities

Foreword

1. The “Comunità Magnificat,” a private international association of the faithful, mindful of the Lord’s solemn warning not to cause the little ones to stumble (Mark 9:42), and aware that it is called to bear witness to “the new life in the Spirit, the fruit of the transforming experience of God’s love” (Statutes, Art. 2, § 2), pays the utmost attention to preventing abuse against minors and vulnerable persons, as well as to promptly uncovering all offenses against their dignity, both within the Community and in the context of its apostolic activities.
2. In carrying out this work of prevention and protection, the Association relies on the Magisterium of the Catholic Church and the guidance of the Pastors, both to receive their direction and support and to work in effective communion with all the members of the Body of Christ.
3. The Community recognizes that abuse of minors and vulnerable persons represents the greatest contradiction to Christian witness. Abuse is understood not only as physical harm, but as any violation of a person’s dignity and, in particular, of the supreme good of freedom. For this reason, all members are committed to remaining constantly vigilant so that the danger of such abuse is always taken into account and never underestimated.
4. Victims often find themselves in a vulnerable state, exacerbated by the abuse itself, and do not easily find the strength to report it, often even denying that the abuse took place. Abusers, too, frequently experience forms of internal dissociation that make them largely unaware of the severity of their own behavior. For this reason, the Association is committed to making it as easy as possible to report abuse, striving to detect even the slightest signs of distress.

Regarding the Protection of the Association’s Internal Affairs

5. The Community recognizes that the primary means of preventing abuse is formation. For this reason, particularly as part of the annual formation program, it periodically emphasizes the practice of the virtues of prudence and chastity, adapted to each state of life.
6. The General Directors, following the guidelines provided by the Episcopal Conferences of the territories in which the Association operates, oversee the specific formation of all those in positions of responsibility regarding the practice of the virtues of prudence and chastity, drawing on the expertise of external specialists whose qualifications are recognized by ecclesiastical authorities.
7. Particular attention is given to the spiritual guidance provided by the Association’s members, the community activity most vulnerable to abuse. The Fraternity Leaders oversee the selection of individuals suitable for this highly sensitive task, ensure their specific training, and periodically evaluate the proper conduct of this service, so as to safeguard the capacity of each person being accompanied to make informed decisions for themselves.
8. The Community ensures that no initiative incompatible with the exercise of Christian prudence is organized, even if only out of carelessness or for recreational purposes.

Regarding the protection of activities involving minors or vulnerable persons
within the Association

9. Meetings and activities involving minors and individuals who are even potentially vulnerable must take place in suitable premises normally designated for that purpose, avoiding behavior that could be misinterpreted, and in any case within sight of at least one other person. Physical contact must be appropriate to the individual’s age, physical and mental condition, and the context, and should prudently remain within the bounds of normal, chaste interpersonal interactions.
10. If a minor attends a community meeting, the meeting organizers must ensure that a parent or other authorized person has expressly authorized the minor’s attendance.
11. Interpersonal communication, including that via electronic messaging systems, must always be respectful and non-intrusive, and must never use sexualized or vulgar language.
12. Videos or photos of minors and vulnerable individuals may be posted on the Internet or otherwise made public only with valid consent from the person entitled to give such consent and without risk of harm to the individual concerned. In any case, the additional requirements established by applicable civil laws must be observed.
13. Gifts given and received must be handled with care and in a transparent and appropriate manner. They must not be used to obtain benefits or to create psychological dependence.

Regarding the Protection of the Association’s Apostolic Activities

14. In carrying out its mission, the Association will comply with the ecclesiastical and civil laws of the territories in which it operates, with particular regard to those that require a prior background check on staff members who may come into contact with minors or other vulnerable individuals.
15. The Community is always happy to cooperate with local religious and civil authorities regarding the prevention, reporting, and prosecution of all forms of abuse against minors or vulnerable persons.

About Reporting Channels

16. The Community Assembly appoints a Commission for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons (hereinafter: the Commission), composed of five members who do not hold government offices, not all of whom are of the same sex, with a three-year term renewable only once. The Commission ensures strict compliance with canonical and civil laws regarding abuse, oversees the proper implementation of this protocol, and provides protection against possible slander. In reviewing reports, it draws on the collaboration of members of other associations with experience in this field, as well as external experts with qualifications recognized by ecclesiastical authorities, who can contribute to the impartiality of the assessment.
17. Under no circumstances should anyone who believes they have been a victim of abuse—whether rightly or wrongly—be prevented from reporting the matter to ecclesiastical or civil authorities. On the contrary, victims—or those who believe they have been victims—should be supported in making this decision.
18. If a member receives a request for help from a victim of abuse or someone believed to be a victim, or simply observes in a minor or vulnerable person—regardless of the context in which they are encountered within the Community—signs of distress or other outward signs that give rise to a well-founded suspicion of abuse, that member has a very serious duty to report the matter to the Commission.
19. Reports of abuse may be submitted by both members and non-members. They may be brought to the Commission’s attention verbally, by mail, or via an email address that is effectively publicized and accessible even to those who are not members of the association, including through the Community’s website. The email address is managed with the utmost confidentiality by the Commission.
20. Upon receiving the report, the Commission initiates the appropriate investigations to ascertain the facts, including with the assistance of experienced individuals who do not hold government positions and who can quickly reach the location from which the report originated. The Commission promptly adopts appropriate measures to protect the victims, provided that, where there is a well-founded suspicion that a crime has been committed, the matter must be promptly reported to the judicial authorities.
21. Members called upon to cooperate with the Commission’s investigations must regard this as a very serious duty and, with the utmost confidentiality, report any facts of which they are aware without fear of pressure or retaliation.
22. Information is gathered promptly, balancing the need for truth with the protection of the good reputation of all those involved. The information gathered is safeguarded by the Commission with the utmost care, in accordance with data privacy principles.
23. In handling each case, every effort must be made to provide support to victims of abuse, with the assistance of doctors, psychologists, or other experts capable of offering appropriate assistance. Where possible and appropriate, pastoral care and support will also be offered to those responsible for the abuse as they embark on a journey of conversion.
24. In the event that reports are found to be defamatory, the Commission takes the appropriate measures to defend the defamed party and protect that person’s good reputation.
25. Following the conclusion of the investigation to determine the validity of the allegations, the Commission reports the facts to the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life, as well as to other ecclesiastical and civil authorities with jurisdiction over the matter, and shall then propose to the General Directors that the member be dismissed in accordance with the procedures set forth in Article 53 of the Statutes.