The General Council along with Fr. Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R., Superior General, had a one-day seminar as part of its annual Ongoing Formation study on the 19th of March 2026. This year the day was spent in study along with the General Commission for Safeguarding which has begun its in person meeting from the 19th March and will continue until the 23rd March 2026. The General Commission for Safeguarding consists of the following members: Fr. José Carlos Linhares, the Procurator General, Fr. Gerardo Hernández, Consultor General and Executive Secretary for Formation, Fr. Giovanni Del Missier, Professor in the Alphonsian Academy, Fr. Richard Welch, Canonist and Member of the Vatican Dicastery for Consecrated life, Fr. Andrzej Kukla, Vice Procurator General and Canonist, Fr. Winfried Pauly, Province of St Clement, Fr. Carlos Triviño, Province Peter Donders, Fr. Stephen Rehrauer, Province of Denver, Fr. Henry Fernances, Vice Province of Majella in India, and Fr. Sabinus Obinna Onuegbu from the Vice Province of Nigeria and studying for an STL at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in Safeguarding.
The one-day Ongoing Formation seminar was given by Fr. Francisco José Regordán, OFM, Professor of Canon Law at the Antonianum as well as professor of Canon Law at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome. He is also a member of the Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine and Faith with vast experience in canonical issues around Safeguarding.
Fr. Regordán took up various aspects of Safeguarding and working towards an environment of safeguarding keeping in mind the protection of minors and vulnerable adults. He focused on the laws in the Code of Canon law concerning the sanctions and penalties with regard to abuse presenting many examples from his rich experience as a canonist. He also presented the procedures required for investigation explaining the various canonical terms, offices, roles with regard to complaints regarding abuse, the preparation of the case, the matters surrounding care for victims, secrecy, oath of office, and application of penal laws. He also responded to various questions from the participants both of a theoretical nature as well as practical examples from the practice of Canon Law regarding different cases.
This day of study was designed to enable the General Commission for Safeguarding to prepare for its study and finalising of the document on Safeguarding which it will present to the General Council for approval on the 23rd March 2026.
Fr. Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R, at the conclusion of the day, thanked Fr. Regordán for his learned and yet very practical input and stressed the importance of the study of this aspect of canon law not just for the General Council and the Safeguarding Commission but for the all the Major Superiors and Councils in the Congregation.
Joseph Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R.
General Consultor
