On November 21, the Pontifical Gregorian University hosted a joint event organized by its Institute of Anthropology and the Australian Embassy to the Holy See, marking both the European Day for the Protection of Children and the World Day for the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence Against Children.
Around 300 people attended the event, which was introduced by Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Holy See Secretary for Relations with States, and saw the participation of the Rector of the Gregorian University, P. Mark Lewis, and the Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Blase Joseph Cupich.
The outgoing Australian Ambassador to the Holy See, Chiara Porro, delivered a lecture titled “Safeguarding and the Catholic Church: Reflections of an Ambassador.” This event marked her final public engagement after four years representing Australia at the Holy See, where she had served since 2020, before returning to Australia.
Drawing from her own experiences in Rome, Dr. Porro shared insights on how institutions at all levels can become more effective in eradicating and preventing abuse.
“The four years I have spent here at the Holy Seehave been hugely formative when it comes to the subject of safeguarding. I have been fortunate to meet an impressive array of experts and learn so much from practitioners who have devoted their life’s work to eradicating and preventing child sexual abuse in society. But perhaps the most striking experience in my time as Ambassador has been meeting with survivors and listening to their testimonies,” she said.
The Ambassador’s address focused on five key themes: leadership, modern principles of professional standards, transparency, and survivor-focused learning. With strong words, Porro emphasized the importance of avoiding the "re-traumatization of victims," which she noted is often the result of neglect and the lack of effective support structures to both assist victims and eradicate this issue.
Porro added: “Because closed doors are re-traumatising. Lengthy waits are re-traumatising".
Lack of justice is re-traumatising. The Church can learn from survivors’ experience to heal and grow as an institution. It can strengthen its service to communities, reinforce its mission on education, healthcare and humanitarian relief, and fully embrace its renewed commitment to listening and embedding synodality in all aspects of Church life”.
The event closed with words by Father Hans Zollner, the director of the Institute of Anthropology. Fr. Zollner applauded Porro for all the impactful work she is doing for abuse prevention and awareness. Our director believes it has made positive improvements when it comes to its reform efforts.
Fr. Hans Zollner noted how these “great strides” the Australian Catholic Church is taking should be used as a positive example for the global church and that they have “a lot to learn from Australia” because of their ability “to listen to survivors of clergy sexual abuse and how to bolster safeguarding efforts on a national and international level.”
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