A new Safeguarding Initiative announced Feb. 23, 2021, by Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities includes a pledge for donors to show their support for protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse. (CNS/Reuters/Lindsey Wasson)
Two years after Pope Francis summoned the heads of bishops' conferences around the world to Rome to confront clergy abuse among their own ranks, Catholic philanthropists are following his lead with a new initiative aimed to encourage Catholic funders to promote safeguarding in their own organizations and philanthropic efforts.
The newly launched multi-year program, "Commitment to Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection" is led by Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities (FADICA), an umbrella organization representing over 50 member organizations and individuals. It encourages those funders to sign a pledge to review their own internal safeguarding policies, as well as that of their grantee partners.