Master of the Order establishes permanent commission on safeguarding
Rome — On February 2, the Master of the Order, fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner III, OP, formally established the Permanent Multidisciplinary Commission on Safeguarding, implementing a mandate of the General Chapter of Krakow and reaffirming the Order’s commitment to the protection of the vulnerable, accountability, and healing.
In his decree, the Master recalls that fidelity to the Dominican vocation as preachers of the Word “requires unwavering vigilance in the protection of the vulnerable, humble and attentive listening to those who have suffered harm, and a resolute commitment to truth, accountability, and healing.” He notes that while provinces of the Order have developed protocols and made significant progress in safeguarding and the handling of cases of abuse, “further efforts remain necessary, both within the provinces and in the institutions under their governance.”
The General Chapter of Krakow (ACG 2025, 158) called for the establishment of a permanent commission for the safeguarding of persons in order to incorporate the experiences of the various entities and realities of the Order. This commission is to present a report at each General Chapter.
Following consultation, the Master has appointed the first members of the Commission for a term of three years:
- fr. Juan Manuel Hernández Hernández, OP (Socius for Fraternal Life and Formation)
- fr. Jesús Díaz Sariego, OP (Hispania–Europe)
- Ms. Mary Tallon (Ireland–Europe)
- Ms. Florencia Costa (Argentina–Latin America)
- fr. Nathaniel Omokhagbor Eshikena, OP (Nigeria–Africa)
- fr. Pius Pietrzyk, OP (St. Joseph–USA)
- fr. Romualdo Cabatan, OP (Philippines–Asia)
The Commission will be presided over by the Socius for Fraternal Life and Formation, fr. Juan Manuel Hernández Hernández, OP, and fr. Jesús Díaz Sariego, OP, will serve as secretary of the Commission.
In establishing the Commission, the Master situates this work within the heart of Christian discipleship, citing the Letter of James: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (Jas 1:27).
Expressing gratitude to the newly appointed members, the Master thanks them for their “availability and generosity in offering your service to the Order,” and prays that the brothers and sisters of the Order may “radiate the light of Christ to our world.”
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