Session on Safeguarding of Minors for the Missionaries of Africa of the Southern Africa Province (Lusaka, Zambia: 13-30 June 2025)
Wednesday, June 25th 2025
In today’s morning session, the Coordinator for Integrity in Mission, Fr. Lowrent Kamwaza gave a presentation on how to organise appropriate safeguarding formation programs. He insisted that this is a very important tool in the ministry of safeguarding. He highlighted that when planning a safeguarding session, there are some questions that must be taken into consideration with clear goals set and a proper organisation plan. This presentation was followed by an exercise in groups by sectors, where each group was tasked to organise a model training session for a specific target group.
The afternoon presentation focused on having strategic plans for our parishes, sectors and other mission settings. In this strategic plan the key focus should be to understand the context of mission, the people involved in pastoral work, a risk assessment of who could be most vulnerable persons as well as possible offenders. Consequently, the strategic plan needs to meet the set objectives. Again, this session was followed by a group exercise on creating a strategic plan for our specific sectors and communities in the SAP Province.
The day ended with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr. Valentin Muzi. In his homily, he encouraged us to treasure our identity jealously so that we can always bear good fruits that endure. In the context of safeguarding, he said if we remain authentic to our vocation as pastors, then some of the fruits of our ministry would include the creation of a safe environment for the people of God.
Safeguarding is our commitment
By: Okunola Michael, M.Afr., Claude Nsengiyuva, M.Afr., Eric Kambale, M.Afr., Lowrent Kamwaza, M.Afr.