The Missionaries of Africa Pursue their Commitment to Fostering a Culture of Safeguarding for Minors and Vulnerable Persons

By John Baptist Tumusiime, PhD

Members of the Society of the Missionaries of Africa who serve in Ghana and Nigeria concluded a two-week training workshop on Safeguarding of Minors and Vulnerable People on June 20th in the Ghanaian town of Ejisu. The workshop was organised by the Congregation’s department for Integrity in Ministry.  Fr. Lowrent Kamwanza is the Coordinator of the department. In an interview with Vatican Media, he stressed that safeguarding is part of the life of the Missionaries of Africa.

Q.  Why was it important for your Missionary Congregation to organize this safeguarding workshop for the province of Ghana–Nigeria at this particular time and what challenges did the workshop seek to address?

The decision to organize this safeguarding workshop for our province of Ghana–Nigeria, comes from our deep commitment to the mission of the Catholic Church. Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has repeatedly emphasized the urgent need to create safer spaces within the Church for everyone. He has returned to this theme on several occasions. Most recently, on 17 June before the General audience, while addressing members of the Centre for Research and Training on the Protection of Minors from Latin America, he reiterated this vision in very powerful words. He said that we must ensure that “all spaces in the Church, whether physical or virtual, may truly be places for a fruitful encounter with Jesus Christ, free from fears, suspicions, or distrust.” These words capture the heart of safeguarding. The Church is called to be a place where every person, children, vulnerable adults, families, religious, clergy, and all the faithful, can live their faith in safety, dignity, and trust. Creating such environments is a responsibility shared by all the baptized, not only by safeguarding officers or Church leaders. For our Congregation, this training is also part of a broader strategic commitment. Our Superior General, Fr. Stanley Lubungo, and his General Council adopted a strategic plan that aims to train missionaries in all eight of our Provinces, six of which are in Africa. The province of Ghana–Nigeria is one of these Provinces, and this workshop has represented another important step in embedding a genuine culture of safeguarding throughout our Missionary Congregation. I have to highlight that; this workshop also addressed a very practical need. Beyond raising awareness and strengthening participants’ knowledge and skills, the participants worked together to draft the Safeguarding Policy for their Province. That draft has now been submitted to the Provincial Superior for his consideration and approval. Once adopted, it will provide a clear framework to guide our pastoral ministry, formation houses, schools, and all our apostolic activities, ensuring that safeguarding becomes ultimately an integral part of our mission.

Q.  How many participants took part in the workshop and what were the main topics covered?

The workshop brought together 25 participants, all of them Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), priests and brothers serving in the province of Ghana–Nigeria. All of them come from different African countries, as well as India and Mexico. We also welcomed safeguarding delegates from Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Sudan, whose experience enriched our discussions. Over the course of the two weeks, we covered more than 14 topics, among others: key tools and foundations of safeguarding, the right use of pastoral power in the Church in relation to safeguarding, the significance of fostering pastoral boundaries in relation to safeguarding, pastoral care for victims and survivors as an issue of justice in our mission contexts, canonical and legal aspects of safeguarding, and, most importantly, the collaborative drafting of a safeguarding policy for the Ghana–Nigeria Province. So, the workshop combined theological reflection with practical skills, equipping participants to create safer environments in all areas of our mission.

Q. The workshop lasted two full weeks, which is quite long. Why was such an extended period necessary, and what advantages does this duration offer compared to a shorter training programme?

We intentionally designed this workshop to last two full weeks because safeguarding is much more than a training programme or a set of policies. It is a ministry that requires a profound change of mindset and conversion of heart. People also learn at different speeds. While some grasp concepts quickly, others need more time to reflect, engage in discussion, and integrate what they have learned into their ministry. Safeguarding is also an academic discipline with its own methodology, principles, and objectives. This is why it is taught in universities such as the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where I completed my Licentiate in Safeguarding, as well as at institutions like the University of Kisubi in Entebbe Uganda and other universities around the world. We, therefore, wanted to give this important subject the time and depth it deserves. Another reason is that safeguarding emerged in the Church in response to the abuse crisis. As a result, many people still associate safeguarding only with cases of abuse. A longer workshop allows participants to move beyond that perception and understand that safeguarding is fundamentally about creating safe spaces, safe environments, and healthy relationships in all aspects of the Church’s life and mission. Our experience has shown that two weeks provide the right balance between learning, reflection, and personal conversion.

Q. This is now the fourth safeguarding workshop your Congregation has organized in different Provinces. Looking back, what impact have these trainings had on the Congregation’s safeguarding ministry?

We are deeply grateful, as the Missionaries of Africa, that our Society has aligned itself with this important mission of the Church; a mission that has been at the heart of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV and of his predecessors including Pope Francis. Looking back, we have seen very encouraging signs of progress among our confreres. First, our missionaries have become much more aware of the importance of safeguarding. It is no longer seen as a foreign concept or simply a response to abuse cases. Rather, it has been embraced as an essential dimension of our mission and our care for the People of God, especially children and adults in vulnerable situations. We have also witnessed safeguarding becoming part of the life of the Congregation as it has been integrated into the initial formation programmes in our philosophy seminaries, novitiates, and theology houses, as well as a regular component of our ongoing formation for missionaries These are very positive fruits, and they give us great hope. At the same time, we recognize that safeguarding is not a destination but an ongoing journey. There is still much work to be done, and we continue to face challenges and occasional resistance. Nevertheless, we remain firmly committed to building a culture where every person is treated with dignity.

Q. Any other comment to add to what you have said?

 Organizing workshops of this nature requires extensive planning, coordination, and logistical preparation at every level. We are also conscious that this ministry is sustained by the generosity and commitment of many people behind the scenes. Many accompany us with their prayers, others share valuable ideas and expertise, and many generously support us financially. I take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to all of them. Their support makes this important mission possible and enables us to continue forming our missionaries in creating safer environments within the Church. We assure them of our heartfelt appreciation and our continued prayers for them and their intentions.