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

Friday, June 27^th 2025

On the 11^th day of our training on safeguarding, we continued to work in groups by sectors reviewing the Southern Africa Province Safeguarding Guidelines. This collaborative work has enabled us to identify areas for improvement and propose necessary updates that will ensure that the document remains relevant and aligns with The Universal Guidelines of the Church, our General Safeguarding Policy, and current pastoral realities and needs.

The Training concluded with a solemn eucharistic celebration presided by the Provincial Superior of the Southern Africa Province, Fr. Christian Mulenga. In his reflection based on the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, he reminded us that our hearts should emulate the heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. If we have integrity in our ministry, we will also have a heart of a Good Shepherd like Jesus. A Good Shepherd, searches, rescues, and restores everyone and more especially the most vulnerable: these are key qualities for integrity in ministry.

At the end of the eucharistic celebration, a certificate of participation was awarded to all participants by the Provincial on behalf of the Superior General and his Council. Additionally, the participants planted a tree at FENZA centre symbolizing the growth of this ministry while looking to the future with Hope. This has marked the conclusion of the training, however, the work of editing and refining the draft document for the SAP guidelines continues by a team of selected confreres.

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)

Thursday, June 26^th 2025

During the morning session, we continued to work in groups organized by our respective sectors, with the aim of reviewing the Southern Africa Province Safeguarding Guidelines. The primary objective was to collaboratively identify areas for improvement, and propose necessary updates to ensure the document remains relevant, practical, and aligned with our current realities and pastoral needs.

In the afternoon session, our confrere Cassidy PJ gave a presentation on concrete experience on safeguarding and what safe-guarders can do. He used South Africa and Ireland as case study. In his presentation, he gave examples of real-life cases and gave directions on some of the ways to go about handling safeguarding cases. He encouraged us to always follow the necessary protocols and to work hand in hand with professionals who can guide us through the entire procedure.

The day culminated with Holy Mass, celebrated by Fr. Jean Kesse. In his reflection drawn from the readings of the day, he reminded us of the need not to act based on our own will and for our own glory but to always be grounded in the will of God.

Safeguarding is our commitment

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