The Territory of Brazil recently received international accreditation from Praesidium for Safe Environments. This achievement confirms the path of responsibility, seriousness, and commitment that has been followed in promoting a culture of care.

The accreditation also constitutes an important step in the continuity of the commitment undertaken by the Legion of Christ. In 2020, the General Chapter established, for all territories, the need to advance in the implementation and strengthening of policies, procedures, and practices aimed at promoting safe environments.

More than the recognition of documents and processes, this achievement expresses an institutional commitment to the dignity of every person, especially children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults who participate in the pastoral, educational, and apostolic activities of the Congregation.

The evaluation by Praesidium, an international organization specializing in the prevention of abuse and the promotion of safe environments, considered different dimensions related to abuse prevention and the appropriate response to potential reports. Internal policies, admission and formation processes, the Code of Conduct, procedures for monitoring and referring complaints, and collaboration with civil authorities were analyzed.

“The accreditation of the Brazilian Territory signifies communion with the entire Legion in its purpose of bearing witness before the Church and society that the Congregation is committed to living its mission, paying special attention to the protection and promotion of human dignity.”

A path built with everyone’s participation

At the head of the Safe Environments Coordination since 2023, Maria Teresa Rosa oversaw the process of preparing and implementing the requirements necessary for accreditation, along with Fr. José Ignacio Lázaro, L.C., Fr. Cássio Barros, L.C., and the territorial director, Fr. Julio Martí, L.C. Maria Teresa’s arrival in the Brazilian Territory marked the beginning of a structured effort to consolidate the Safe Environments Office and advance accreditation according to the criteria of the General Directorate.

During this period, the team visited Legionary communities in different regions of the country, fostering spaces for listening, guidance, and formation with the priests. It was also necessary to review documents, organize files, update protocols, and resume processes related to complaints received throughout the Territory’s history.

“For accreditation to be possible, we needed the participation of every Legionary in the Territory, especially through their direct involvement in formation sessions and their commitment to the pastoral care of children and adolescents,” explains Maria Teresa.

Ongoing formation addressed topics such as abuse prevention in pastoral ministry, abuse prevention in organizations working with young people, bullying prevention, and online safety.

This process also demanded a renewed commitment to formation and personal responsibility from each member of the Congregation. Ultimately, safe environments are not built solely through rules and procedures, but also through relationships marked by respect, prudence, listening, and service.

Accreditation: A Point of Arrival and Continuity

Obtaining accreditation does not mark the end of the work. On the contrary, it offers a clearer path to deepen the Congregation’s commitment to a culture of care and to ensure that protocols, training, and procedures remain active and are constantly being improved.

“What changes is that we have greater clarity about the path we must follow to deepen the Congregation’s commitment, which is also the Church’s, to promoting a culture of care, giving a more coherent and credible witness to the Gospel,” says the coordinator.

From now on, the Territory will continue to promote the ongoing formation of priests and candidates for Legionary life, keeping its protocols updated and ensuring the necessary openness to listen to and appropriately support any complaint that is filed.

“The great benefit for our Territory is maintaining this collaborative attitude of the Legionaries in promoting Safe Environments.”

Care as an expression of the Gospel

For Maria Teresa, the culture of Safe Environments should not be understood solely as a response to situations of abuse. It is a concrete expression of the mission of the Church and of the way in which we are called to relate to others.

“Safe Environments should not focus on preventing abuse, but on promoting the dignity of the other, so that the proclamation of the Gospel we make is truly meaningful.”