World Church · October 16, 2026
Also published in Polski
CNBB and CRB advance formation project to strengthen protection policies in the Church
Representatives of the Commission for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults of the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops (CNBB) and members of the Conference of Religious of Brazil (CRB) met on Tuesday, 13 October, at the CNBB headquarters in Brasília (DF) to advance initiatives aimed at preventing abuse and strengthening protection policies for children, adolescents and vulnerable persons within the Church in Brazil.
According to Dom Ricardo Hoepers, secretary‑general of the CNBB, one of the main outcomes of the meeting is the mapping of needs of the regions and of existing protection structures across the country. This survey will support the joint formation project between the CNBB and the CRB, scheduled for 2027.
Dom Ricardo emphasized that the gathering reflects the commitment undertaken by the two conferences, in coordination with the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors of the Vatican, to promote a culture of prevention, care and protection in all ecclesial spheres.
“We are in a very beautiful process of continuity to an intentions protocol that was signed between the CNBB and the CRB, also with the presence of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection, which was at the last General Assembly of the Bishops,” he explained.
The focus is on strengthening joint action and providing conditions for protection policies to be effectively implemented in the diverse realities of the Church.
“Our intention is precisely to strengthen the bonds between the two conferences, taking into account care, guardianship and, above all, strengthening, at our bases, of protection policies,” he highlighted.
During the meeting, participants assessed the various stages of organization of existing protection structures nationwide. While some locations already have well‑structured committees, others face difficulties related to geographic distances, institutional articulation and the consolidation of preventive policies.
In response, the CNBB and the CRB intend to develop a formation proposal that considers the particularities and concrete needs of each region, offering support especially to areas with the greatest fragility.
“We have concluded that in some places the protection committees are very well developed, but many places still have their fragilities, even due to distances, by the difficulty of institutional articulation,” said Dom Ricardo Hoepers.
He explained that the first step will be to identify the regions that require greater assistance. Based on information gathered by the two conferences, the formation project for next year will be structured.
“Both conferences will now commit to a formation project to provide sustainability, organizational strengthening, but, above all, strengthening of the bonds in those places that will need greater support,” he added.
Another point highlighted by the secretary‑general was the need to respect the different levels of development of protection policies in dioceses, congregations and other ecclesial bodies.
According to Dom Ricardo, the presence of the Church and of religious life throughout the national territory represents an important advantage for identifying local realities. However, this capillarity also demands formative strategies adapted to the needs of each region.
“We have a positive side, which is the capillarity. The Church and religious life are everywhere. This facilitates reaching the bases and understanding a bit the reality,” he observed.
He noted that some regions still need to begin drafting their protection policies, while others need to deepen knowledge about legislation, institutional organization and societal participation in strengthening preventive actions.
“I would say: the biggest challenge is to raise the graduality of each region and the real needs they have. And, from this, create our formation project, taking to the regions and the bases what they truly need,” he stated.
The Tuesday meeting continues the intentions protocol signed between the CNBB, the CRB and the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors during the General Assembly of the Bishops in April 2026.
The initiative established a cooperation commitment among the institutions to strengthen the prevention of abuse, promote safe environments and consolidate a culture of protection within the Brazilian ecclesial context.
The formation project discussed in the meeting integrates this process of articulation, aiming to expand the reach of preventive actions and contribute to the strengthening of structures responsible for the protection of minors in different parts of the country.
The discussions also fit into the path of strengthening the culture of care promoted by the Church in Brazil and Latin America.
Among recent initiatives was the IV Meeting of the Network for a Culture of Care, held from 31 August to 3 September 2026 at Casa Dom Luciano Mendes de Almeida in Brasília (DF). The event gathered representatives and specialists to deepen reflection on abuse prevention, protection of vulnerable persons and articulation of initiatives aimed at building safe ecclesial environments.
The program highlighted the importance of network work, institutional shared responsibility and permanent formation as fundamental elements for consolidating a culture of prevention.