ETHIOPIA: AMECEA Conferences urged to have Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults Policy in Place
AMECEA Member Conferences have been asked to have policies for the protection of children and vulnerable adults so as to create a safe and positive environment for children and protect the vulnerable adults in the region.
Sr. Kayula Lesa from Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors said that on 19th July 2018 during 19th AMECEA Plenary which is going on at Addis Ababa Ethiopia when she was presenting a paper on behalf of the commission Child Protection and vulnerable adults.
She said that the Holy Father’s desire is for the Church to be a Loving Mother by taking decisive action on behalf of children and the young people of the whole world.
Pope Francis on 22nd March 2014 entrusted the Commission main mission of creating 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.
“So we are here at AMECEA Plenary to meet bishops of AMECEA Region and emphasize on effective protection to children and vulnerable adults by initiating clear policies.
One time Pope said, ”Many painful actions have caused a profound examination of conscience for the entire Church, leading us to request forgiveness from the victims and from our society for the harm that has been caused.
For these reasons I decided to continue the work begun by my Predecessors by establishing a permanent Commission attached to the Holy Sea.
So the Commission’s specific task is to propose to me the most opportune initiatives for protecting minors and vulnerable adults, which we may do everything possible to ensure that crimes such as those which have occurred are no longer repeated in the Church.”
For that, Sr. Lesa insisted The AMECEA region to make great strides in safeguarding children through developing safeguarding policies, child protection programme to reduce violence in Catholic sponsored schools.
Establishing clear expectations and obligations of staff to prevent harm and what to do if harm arises by having staff trained on safeguarding concepts and procedures.
Integrating and mainstreaming safeguarding into formation to build understanding and skills of keeping children safe.
“There is a need to have a National Safeguarding Commission and Commissions in Dioceses Survivor Advisory Panel to advise the Commission at national level. This will help to promote One Church Approach to safeguarding e.g. having One set of Guidelines as a Conference,” she said.
She insisted Collaboration among bishops within dioceses, conferences and AMECEA Region, working together to protect children and refuse covering up victims.
“No protecting our own backs but plenty of communication, everyone has responsibility of protecting children, not just the people in charge but everyone even the children themselves to be encouraged to tell adults if they see things that disturb them,” she said.
She asked bishops to cooperation with the Commission for the Protection of Minors.To propose initiatives and policies to the Roman Pontiff, to promote local responsibility in the universal Church for the protection of all children and vulnerable adults.
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By Sarah Pelaji, Addis Ababa
