Commitment Against Abuse in Worldwide Marriage Encounter

At Worldwide Marriage Encounter, we care about the safety, respect and dignity of all our members, as well as any participant or individual involved in our activities. We acknowledge the severity of sexual, power or conscience abuse and are committed to preventing, detecting, and responding to these acts effectively and with due diligence.

Our Operating Protocols

We adhere to the protocols established by the Vatican for handling abuse allegations. These protocols guide us in investigating claims, protecting victims and holding perpetrators accountable. Further details can be found in the Vatican's Vademecum and the Apostolic Letter Vos estis lux mundi.

Additionally, in cases where abuses are recognised as crimes in the country where they occurred, we will follow all processes and guidelines determined by the applicable national legislation.

Furthermore, if the abuses are considered offenses under the Code of Canon Law, we will report to the corresponding ordinary.

We recognise the authority of both civil and ecclesiastical authorities in these matters and are committed to fully cooperating with both in pursuit of justice and healing.

Reporting Abuse

If you are a victim of abuse or have knowledge of a potential abuse case within the context of Marriage Encounter, we encourage you to report it. You can do so by emailing nationalteam@marriageencounter.ie for Northern Ireland and corkregion@marriageencounter.ie for Southern Ireland. This email is monitored by trained personnel committed to handling each report with the utmost confidentiality and respect.

The Marriage Encounter Protection Model

This model involves the existence of several teams:

- International Ecclesial Team

- Continental Ecclesial Team

- National Ecclesial Team

- National Team for Good Treatment and Care

These teams consist of dedicated and responsible individuals who serve as points of reference for dialogue and conciliation in the community. They are people who know how to welcome and listen and will address any complaint with due diligence, confidentiality, and discretion.

Data Protection

We take the protection of your personal data very seriously. We comply with all applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union. You can find more information about our data protection policies here. 

Transparency and Accountability

We believe in transparency and accountability in our practices. We strive to keep our community informed about our efforts to prevent any potential abuse, always respecting the privacy and confidentiality of those involved.