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Safeguarding

“[ORDINATION] In order to continue promoting a strong culture of safeguarding and anti-abuse within the Order, we ordain the Master of the Order to establish a permanent multidisciplinary commission on safeguarding of people, which will incorporate the experiences of different entities and realities within our Order. It will present its report at each General Chapter.”

— ACG, Krakow, 2025

The Protection of Persons

The Order of Preachers is committed to the safeguarding of all persons, especially minors and vulnerable adults. This commitment flows from the Gospel, from the dignity of every human person created in the image of God, and from the Dominican vocation to preach the truth with integrity. Safeguarding is not only a matter of policy. It is part of the Church’s responsibility to create communities where every person is respected and able to encounter Christ without fear. 

 

The Order recognizes with sorrow the suffering caused by abuse in the Church and in religious life. We are committed to listening to those who have been harmed, responding with compassion, cooperating with the competent authorities, and strengthening a culture of protection, accountability and healing.

If You Have a Safeguarding Concern

If someone is in immediate danger, contact the civil authorities or emergency services in your country without delay.

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Any person who has experienced abuse, witnessed abuse, or has a safeguarding concern involving a member, community, ministry or institution of the Order of Preachers is encouraged to report it. Reports should normally be made to the appropriate Dominican province, vicariate, monastery, congregation, institution or local Church authority, according to the place where the concern arose.

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The Order is committed to receiving reports seriously, treating those who come forward with respect, and following the applicable civil and canonical procedures.

Policies and Accountability

With respect of Safeguarding policies, the Maltese Dominican Province adopts all norms and regulations as stipulated by the Safeguarding Policy published by the Maltese Episcopal Conference and the Policies and Accountability (KSMR) in 2024.

Contacts

Local

Mr Mark Pellicano

Head of the Safeguarding Commission of the Archdiocese of Malta

mark.pellicano@safeguarding.mt

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General Curia of the Dominican Order in Santa Sabina, Roma

Members of the Permanent Commission on Safeguarding:

  • fr. Juan Manuel Hernández Hernández, OP, Praeses

  • fr. Jesús Díaz Sariego, OP, Secretary

  • Ms. Mary Tallon

  • Ms. Florencia Costa 

  • fr. Nathaniel Omokhagbor Eshikena, OP 

  • fr. Pius Pietrzyk, OP

  • fr. Romualdo Cabatan, OP

Formation and Admission to the Order

Safeguarding begins before admission to religious life. The Order requires proper screening of candidates, including psychological and medical evaluations, letters of reference, and appropriate background checks, in accordance with local law and ecclesial norms.

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A person who has been convicted of the abuse of a minor or of the possession of child pornography may not be admitted to the Order, without prejudice to the law of the Order.

A Shared Responsibility

Safeguarding belongs to the mission of the whole Dominican Family. Friars, nuns, apostolic sisters, lay Dominicans, priestly fraternities, youth movements, collaborators, employees and volunteers all share responsibility for building environments marked by respect, prudence, justice and care.

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To safeguard the vulnerable is to serve the truth. It is also to protect the credibility of preaching, so that the Gospel may be announced in communities where the wounded are heard, the vulnerable are protected and the dignity of every person is honored.

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