Session on Safeguarding of Minors for the Missionaries of Africa of the Southern Africa Province (Lusaka, Zambia: 13-30 June 2025)
Tuesday, June 17th 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.
