News archive

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

Thursday, June 19^th 2025

In today’s morning session, Ms. Augusta Muthigani, Africa Regional Expert from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, gave a presentation on the Universal Guidelines Framework of The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Her presentation was quite enriching and revealing. She highlighted the complexity and magnitude of various forms of abuse that occur in homes, schools, communities and places of worship. In response to the above, she explained the Universal Church’s guidelines on safeguarding. This translates the Church’s commitment to addressing the abuse crisis. In implementing these guidelines in our various mission contexts, the cultures and laws of our countries of mission must be taken into consideration with the sensitivity and respect they deserve.

In the afternoon, our confrere Lamec Ciza, Safeguarding Delegate for South Africa, gave a presentation on assessing the safety of our mission places. Fr. Lamec presented to us concrete tools that we need to implement in our places of mission such as codes of conduct, safeguarding statements, declaration forms, reporting procedures and contacts as means of safeguarding the people of God entrusted to us.

The day ended with the Holy Mass presided over by Fr. Gilles Efiyo. In his homily drawn from the readings of the day, he reminded us that we are all children of the same Father and that we have been betrothed to God through our baptism and ministerial calling. If we internalise this, then safeguarding should truly be our commitment.

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)

Wednesday, June 18^th 2025

In today’s morning session, the Coordinator for Integrity in Ministry gave a short presentation on the concept of vulnerability. He highlighted that depending on the situation, we can all be vulnerable. He then proceeded to clarify some key tools used in safeguarding ministry such as Safeguarding Policy, Procedures, Code of conduct, Procedures and protocols, Standards and Guidelines.

Our confrere Bill Turnbull, SAP Safeguarding Coordinator shared with us the fruits of the safeguarding session held in Kigali in June 2024. From which a document titled the “Kigali statement” was born. He iterated that the document is a helpful safeguarding tool that can be adapted to our mission places. It is a simple and workable instrument in safeguarding for our sectors.

In the afternoon session, our confrere Olivier Soma gave a presentation on the importance of screening of our priest candidates and brother candidates in our initial Formation Houses. He clarified some of the myths attached to psychological evaluations and went on to highlight the purposes and aims of this important exercise during formation. More importantly, psychological assessments / screening is an important process that equally helps in holistic formation of the candidate. Screening of candidates during their initial formation programme is an important component of safeguarding.

This day was concluded with a Eucharistic celebration during which the main celebrant, Fr. Claude Nsengiyuva, making reference to the gospel of the day invited us to live out our mission with integrity where our good intentions are congruent with our pastoral actions.

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)

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.