on the Implementation of Child Protection Policy
“The effective protection of minors and a commitment to ensure their human and spiritual development, in keeping with the dignity of the human person, are integral parts of the Gospel message that the Church and all members of the faithful are called to spread throughout the world.” This was the message of Pope Francis on 22 March, 2014.
It is in this context that the AMECEA Pastoral Department held a seminar on the “Implementation of Child and Youth Protection Policy in AMECEA Countries.” The seminar was held at Kurasini, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 7th to 10th March 2016, in collaboration with the Tanzania Episcopal Conference.
In the opening remarks, the Secretary General of Tanzania Episcopal Conference, Fr. Raymond Saba, said, “Many children live in extreme hostile environment and are not fully protected. Many of them are growing up with violence in the home; suffering abuse, either physical and/or sexual, some experience emotional abuse, neglect, exploitation, exclusion and/or discrimination.” Such violations affect growth and hamper pursuit of the children’s dreams and it is our responsibility to protect the children and their welfare, he added.
In emphasizing the need for the Church resolve to promote protection of minors and vulnerable adults, Fr. Saba said that all children have the right to protection. They have the right to live, to be safe, to belong, to be heard, to receive adequate care and to grow up in a caring environment.
Speaking at the same event, Rev. Fr. Febian Pikiti Mulenga, AMECEA Pastoral Coordinator, said, that the aim of the seminar was primarily to create a learning forum among National Conferences on the promotion of protection of the dignity of minors and vulnerable adults, using the forms and methods, consonant with the nature of the Church, which are consider most appropriate.
with Rev. Fr. Raymond Saba (right) Secretary General TEC
Fr. Pikiti further articulated the objectives of the seminar which included discussing the development and implementation of the National Episcopal Conference Child and Youth Protection Policy; sharing on the application of the Policy on Protection of Minors in the light of the recommendations of the Pontifical Commissions for the Protection of Minors; learning the approached to the implementation of the protection of minors within their particular context and institutions and sharing the best practices that have been going in the National Conferences around the AMECEA region.
And, speaking as member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, Sr. Kayula G. Lesa, said “the family is the first place where protection for children should begin. Parents and all those who take care of children are responsible for building a protective and loving home environment. Likewise, all other Church establishments like schools, Parishes and communities are responsible for building a safe and child-friendly environment outside the child’s home. In all these settings children should be fully protected so they can grow, learn and develop to their fullest potential”.
The three days seminar, which was attended by 22 participants from all the AMECEA member countries, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, South Sudan, Uganda and Zambia, was sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
AMECEA Online News Correspondent