A CALL TO PRAYER FOR THE CARDINALS OF THE CHURCH: FOR SAFEGUARDING, HEALING, JUSTICE, AND RENEWAL

As the College of Cardinals gathers in Rome ahead of the Conclave to elect the next Pope, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors joins their call to prayer.  We unite our voices with the People of God in a plea for discernment guided by the Holy Spirit—and shaped by the cries of those harmed by abuse within the Church.

We pray for Cardinals who carry the grave responsibility of choosing the next Successor of Peter, that they may be guided by courage, humility, and a commitment to safeguarding.

We are heartened by the fact that the protection of children and vulnerable people from abuse has been a priority for the cardinals present in Rome in discussions leading up to the Conclave.  The Church’s credibility depends on real accountability, transparency, and action rooted in justice.

We entrust our prayer to the intercession of St Joseph the Protector of the Child Jesus:

Dear Lord,
Let your Holy Spirit descend upon the cardinals gathered in your name. As they prayerfully discern the successor of St. Peter, may they give priority to the safeguarding and protection of the people of God and the importance of effective policies and procedures.
May they contemplate their responsibility for the children, women and men who have been harmed in the life of the Church. May they not fail to fulfill the sacred mission of responsibility for the people of God.
Holy Spirit, guide the hearts of those entrusted with discernment. Let no concern of scandal obscure the urgency of truth. Let no consideration for reputation impede our paramount responsibility to take action on behalf of those who have been abused.
Inspire our cardinals to be leaders for protection and safeguarding, defenders of the innocent, and advocates for the abused. Inspire a conversion to safeguarding to accountability, transparency, and protection of the vulnerable. May they embrace the priority of accountability for rigorous policies and procedures and disciplinary measures.
We pray for the shepherds of evangelization and their responsibility to ensure transparency and justice for all those harmed in the life of the Church.  Inspire them to accountability for safeguarding, protection and action in support of the people of God.
We pray that our cardinals uphold the trust placed in them. Lead them to be vigilant shepherds, defenders of the defenseless and true disciples of your Son, in whose name we pray.
Amen.