News archive

Session on Safeguarding of Minors for the Missionaries of Africa of the Southern Africa Province (Lusaka, Zambia: 13-30 June 2025)

Tuesday, June 17^th 2025

In today’s morning session, the Coordinator for Integrity in Ministry, gave a presentation, on key terms commonly used in the ministry of safeguarding. This was followed by group discussions and exchange. To conclude the morning session, we shared our experiences on various forms of abuse that do take place in our mission settings.

In the afternoon, our confrere Stephane Joulain spoke to us on the pastoral care for victims and survivors of abuse. He highlighted the importance of journeying with victims in the spirit of Christ, by listening to them with empathy and compassion. Aware that for too long, the voices of victims and survivors have been ignored, we now need to shift our attention from defending the institution to standing with the wounded.

He invited us to appreciate the courage and mental energy that victims need to speak out about their experience of abuse. Victims need to overcome many barriers, such as emotional, cultural, familial, institutional and legal challenges in order to disclose an abuse. Additionally, he shared with us the necessary skills and competences to acquire in order to adequately accompany victims and survivors of abuse.

The day was climaxed by a eucharistic celebration in which the main celebrant Fr. Martin Onyango reminded us that the principal pastoral tool needed for our ministry on safeguarding is love.

Safeguarding is our commitment

By: Okunola Michael, M.Afr., Claude Nsengiyuva, M.Afr., Eric Kambale, M.Afr., Lowrent Kamwaza, M.Afr.

Session on Safeguarding of Minors for the Missionaries of Africa of the Southern Africa Province (Lusaka, Zambia: 13-30 June 2025)

Monday, June 16^th 2025

In today’s morning session our confrere Peter Mateso gave us a presentation on the fidelity to our founder Cardinal Charles Lavigerie’s caring vocation of safeguarding of children and the most vulnerable. In his presentation, he made reference to Genesis 4:9, which speaks of being our brother’s keeper. He emphasised that safeguarding is about being our brother / sister’s keeper, caring for and protecting one another with love and responsibility. He explained that this ministry isn’t new; it’s part of our founder’s legacy. What is new is how we live it today, with greater awareness of its impact. Being faithful to this legacy means embracing both its joys and its challenges. Safeguarding is not just about protecting children, the elderly, or the vulnerable; it’s also about how we live with integrity in our ministry and mission, knowing that how we act mirrors the universal mission of the Church.

In the afternoon session we had Rev. Dr. Romuald Uzabumwana (Pallotine Priest), Psycho-therapist and Professor at the Gregorian Pontifical University Institute of Anthropology: Interdisciplinary Studies on Human Dignity and Care – IADC. He reminded us that Pastoral power or authority is a call to serve, not to control. He reminded us that true authority comes from Christ and should be exercised with humility, care, and responsibility. Abuse of power happens when there is imbalance, entitlement, emotional immaturity, or lack of accountability. Healthy leadership reflects Christ: it is mission-focused, emotionally mature, honest, open to others, and rooted in service. These elements are key in safeguarding ministry.

Safeguarding is our commitment

By: Okunola Michael, M.Afr., Claude Nsengiyuva, M.Afr., Eric Kambale, M.Afr., Lowrent Kamwaza, M.Afr.

Session on Safeguarding of Minors for the Missionaries of Africa of the Southern Africa Province (Lusaka, Zambia: 13-30 June 2025)

Saturday, June 14th 2025

Today, we commenced our training on safeguarding of minors with a solemn opening Mass, presided over by the Provincial Superior of the Southern Africa Province, Fr. Christian Mulenga. In his homily, he exhorted us to be true ambassadors of Jesus Christ in our respective mission places by earnestly protecting those entrusted to our care. Reflecting on the Gospel, he emphasized that as safeguarders, we are called to embody the values of simplicity, honesty, and integrity, virtues modelled by Christ in the Gospel of Matthew 5:33–37, where our “Yes” must truly mean “Yes,” and our “No” must indeed mean “No.”

Drawing inspiration from the psalm of the day, Fr. Mulenga further reminded us that, as protectors of the vulnerable, we are to mirror the Lord’s own compassion and graciousness. Our mission must be marked by tenderness, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to uphold the dignity of God’s people.

Fr. Pawel Hulecki, First Assistant General in charge of Integrity in Ministry, reaffirmed that safeguarding is not merely a task, it is a core mission of both the Society and the Church. He underscored that safeguarding those we serve, especially the most vulnerable, is a sacred obligation and a commitment of our missionary Society. He extended his best wishes for a deeply meaningful and fruitful training experience.

Fr. Bill Turnbull, SAP Province’s safeguarding coordinator welcomed and exhorted participants to embrace safeguarding as a collective responsibility.

Fr. Lowrent Kamwaza, Coordinator for Integrity in Ministry of the Society, provided a general orientation for the training. The highlighted four key areas: Understanding integrity in ministry through the vision and charism of our founder, Cardinal Charles Lavigerie, Exploring the dynamics of our missionary work today, Understanding the Church’s response to the abuse crisis and our Society’s commitment to safeguarding.

As we contemplate our mission in today’s context, we are reminded that, though we come from diverse regions as Missionaries, we are united in a synodal Church. We share in her mission, her joys, her wounds, and her hope for renewal. This is a moment to speak out and act decisively, so that healing may begin for victims, and justice may prevail.

Our unwavering commitment to safeguarding is embodied in our Safeguarding Policy.

In the afternoon session, we engaged in a rich exchange of experiences, insights, and aspirations concerning the safeguarding of minors, deepening our shared commitment to this vital ministry. About 30 Missionaries from the Southern Africa province are taking part to this training.

Safeguarding is our commitment

By: Okunola Michael, M.Afr., Claude Nsengiyuva, M.Afr., Eric Kambale, M.Afr., Lowrent Kamwaza, M.Afr.