TANZANIA: Protection of Minors a Priority for the Church
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| Group Photo of the Participant of the Seminar 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.
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.
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.
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.
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| Rev. Fr. Febian Pikiti Mulenga (left) AMECEA Pastoral Coordinator with Rev. Fr. Raymond Saba (right) Secretary General TEC |
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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
Online News Correspondent
