Session on the protection of minors and of persons in situations of vulnerability for the Central Africa Province-PAC (Bujumbura- Burundi, February 15-26, 2025)
Wednesday February 19, 2025
To conclude the first part in understanding the laws on the protection of minors in the three countries of the PAC Province, today we had a presentation by Maitre Arsène LUMPALI on the protection of children according to the Congolese law.
The Congolese Constitution has a provision for the protection of minors from the levels of the family, society and the State. Negligence and mistreatment of children, and in particular paedophilia, sexual abuse as well as accusing children as witches is punishable by law. There are several categories of well-organised laws for the protection of children and people in vulnerable situations. As pastoral workers, he reminded us of our evangelical and prophetic mission, which consists in drawing up a safeguarding policy and providing ongoing training for all.
After these presentations, Stéphane Joulain guided us through the practical guidelines for developing a safeguarding policy. We did this work in teams, where in-depth discussions were conducted.
All this was enriched by the Eucharistic celebration where the celebrant, Father Geoffrey MUGENI, invited us, like the blind man, to gradually see/discover the importance of the ministry of safeguarding.
Safeguarding is our commitment
By: Alex Manda, M.Afr., Jean de Dieu Meda, M.Afr., Anthony Nahabwe, M.Afr., Edmond Ouedraogo, M.Afr., Lowrent Kamwaza, M.Afr.