Protecting Minors and Vulnerable Persons: The Core Mission of the Church
When it comes to safeguarding minors and vulnerable individuals against all forms of abuse, Fr. Lowrent Kamwaza emphasizes that this is a fundamental mission of the Church. In a recent interview with Vatican News, Fr. Kamwaza, the Coordinator for Integrity in Ministry in the Society of the Missionaries of Africa, highlighted the importance of creating a safe environment within the Church for all individuals.
Fr. Kamwaza spoke about a recent two-week training course on Safeguarding organized by his office in Kigali, Rwanda, for safeguarding delegates of his Congregation. The course, which ran from June 15th to June 30th, aimed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle safeguarding incidents appropriately and provide support to victims.
Here is a summary of the insights shared by Fr. Lowrent Kamwaza in the interview:
- Integrity in Ministry: Fr. Kamwaza explained that integrity is a vital aspect of the mission of missionaries. It involves embodying qualities such as honesty, sincerity, and moral principles in every aspect of life.
- Safeguarding: This encompasses all measures and mechanisms put in place to prevent harm or abuse of children and vulnerable individuals within the Church or any other institution.
- Training Importance: Fr. Kamwaza stressed the need for the training to ensure that members of the Society are well-equipped to integrate and implement the Safeguarding Policy effectively in their mission areas.
- Participant Commitment: At the end of the training, participants pledged to raise awareness, break the culture of silence, promote transparency, collaborate with local churches, and support victims of abuse.
- Rehabilitation Mechanisms: The Society has a safeguarding policy in place to provide support and rehabilitation for victims of abuse. Safeguarding delegates in each sector work closely with stakeholders to ensure justice and support for victims.
Fr. Lowrent Kamwaza’s dedication to promoting a safer and more accountable Church through safeguarding initiatives serves as an inspiration for all Catholics to actively engage in creating a protective environment for all members of the Church.
