The Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE) is strengthening its commitment to combating sexualized violence in church contexts. The CPCE Council supports Resolution 2533 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and calls on its member churches to introduce and further develop safeguarding measures as a high priority. An international conference in Warsaw now marks the beginning of a multi-year process of exchange and implementation focusing on the prevention of and response to sexual abuse. The Justice Initiative, a European survivors’ organization that successfully lobbied the Council of Europe for this commitment to accountability and redress, has described the CPCE’s step as historic.
Warsaw, 19 June 2026 – Resolution 2533 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe calls for a more comprehensive response to child sexual abuse and stronger protection for vulnerable persons across Europe. The Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe holds participatory status as an international NGO with the Council of Europe. In this capacity, it is committed to promoting Council of Europe initiatives within its areas of responsibility and contributing to their implementation. This commitment applies particularly to the protection of children, young people, and adults from abuse. CPCE is now taking up this responsibility.
“The Church Must Be a Place Where People Are Safe”
In its latest statement, the CPCE Council acknowledges that children, young people, and vulnerable adults have also suffered grave injustice within Protestant churches. This recognition is intended to have concrete consequences. At its June meeting, CPCE resolved to align its work in Europe with Resolution 2533 of the Council of Europe. CPCE intends to contribute actively to ensuring that Protestant churches assume responsibility, learn from one another, and further develop proven safeguarding frameworks. Rita Famos, President of CPCE and of the Protestant Reformed Church of Switzerland, stated: “Europe must live up to its values when it comes to protecting vulnerable people. As Protestant churches in Europe, we want to make our contribution.” For Rita Famos, protecting against sexual violence within church structures is a key priority:
“The Church must be a place where people are safe. Protection against sexualized violence is therefore not an additional task; it lies at the heart of our ecclesial mission. Wherever the Church speaks of God’s love, it must do everything in its power to ensure that people do not suffer abuse and that survivors are heard and supported.”
By endorsing the Council of Europe resolution, CPCE continues its work in this field. As early as 2024, the CPCE General Assembly in Sibiu (Hermannstadt) decided to initiate a European process for exchanging experiences and developing safeguarding measures. In May 2026, the CPCE Council – the organization’s principal decision-making body between General Assemblies – adopted its first formal statement on the issue. In doing so, CPCE elevated the topic to the European level and called on all member churches to introduce, improve, and learn from one another’s safeguarding practices.
European Survivors’ Organization Justice Initiative: “This Commitment Is Historic”
For Guido Fluri, President of the European survivors’ organization Justice Initiative, the decision marks a milestone in the struggle of abuse survivors: “Today, CPCE has laid the foundation for a collective change in mindset. It will become a model for churches and for other sectors of society that are still at the very beginning of addressing past abuse, as well as prevention, protection, and safeguarding.” The Justice Initiative, with branches across Europe, played a key role in Switzerland through a popular initiative that contributed significantly to compensation for 12,000 abuse survivors. In 2024, it also successfully lobbied the Council of Europe for Resolution 2533. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the Parliamentary Assembly and calls on member states to advance accountability and redress processes modeled on the Swiss example. This also includes cases of abuse in church contexts.
Improving Protection Against Abuse Without Delay – CPCE Moves into Implementation
To implement the CPCE Council’s policy statement, representatives from more than 40 Protestant churches across Europe are gathering in Warsaw from today until 21 June 2026. The conference is being held in cooperation with the Guido Fluri Foundation and its European Justice Initiative.
Dorothee Wüst, President of the Protestant Church of the Palatinate (Germany), described the conference’s objectives as exemplary: “As representatives of Protestant churches in Europe, we commit ourselves to developing, implementing, evaluating, and maintaining safeguarding policies and measures within our church contexts. Through this conference in Warsaw, we are networking at the European level and meeting internationally for the first time.” She stressed that protection against sexualized violence is an essential part of the Church’s mission and therefore not a peripheral issue, but one that must hold a central place in church life.
The CPCE Council’s statement affirms:
“According to Christian ethics, protection against sexualized violence is an essential part of the Church’s calling and of its mission in the world.”
Around 100 participants from across Europe are attending the conference in Warsaw. CPCE currently comprises 96 Lutheran, Reformed, United, and Methodist churches from more than 30 European countries and, in some cases, from South America.
https://www.leuenberg.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Council-Statement-final.pdf