KENYA: Protection of Minors and Vulnerable, a Divine Call to All; Says Cleric on Response to Abuse Cases in Church
Fr. Kevin Otieno Mwandha
By Julius Oketch Agunda
In a bid to respond to Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter Vos Estis Lux Mundi (You are the light of the world) on the Church’s norms to prevent and counter sexual abuse against minors and vulnerable adults, a Rome-based Kenyan cleric has emphasized that safeguarding is a divine call and responsibility to all believers.
Sharing with theology students of Tangaza University College (TUC), a Kenya-based Catholic Institution of higher learning on Friday, November 24, Fr. Prof. Kevin Otieno Mwandha, a canonist and the Vice-Dean of the faculty of theology at the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome, stressed the essence of safeguarding and highlighted the need of creating a safe and nurturing environment for all individuals, regardless of age or capacity.
The member of the Salesian of Don Bosco (SDB) underscored that all members of the Church should report any suspected or known instances of abuse and emphasized further the importance of creating “a culture of transparency and accountability.”
Reflecting on Vos Estis Lux Mundi where the Holy Father reminds the entire Church that “Our Lord Jesus Christ calls every believer to be a shining example of virtue, integrity, and holiness,” and that “All of us are called to give concrete witness of faith in Christ in our lives and, in particular, in our relationship with others,” Fr. Mwandha narrates that the given laws call for mandatory reporting and acting on cases of abuse of children and vulnerable adult and at the same time they (laws) act as preventive measures to all.”
In this case, as the Apostolic Letter that was issued Motu Proprio (on one’s own initiative) reveals that the “crimes of sexual abuse offend Our Lord, cause physical, psychological, and spiritual damage to the victims, and harm the community of the faithful,” the cleric while addressing about 40 theology students virtually acknowledged that “Local Ordinaries, major superiors, clergy, religious and heads of Catholic Institutions have clear guidelines to follow in dealing with abuse cases.”
Fr. Mwandha the author of a recently published book on ‘Defection from the Catholic Church in Kenya,’ encouraged the students to be mindful of the power dynamics and potential situations of exploitation and expounded on the significance of recognizing and respecting the autonomy and dignity of minors and vulnerable adults.
The Friday online session was organized by Sr. Dr. Jacinta Ondeng, a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) and the Head of the Department of Safeguarding at TUC.
The Kenyan nun thanked the students for their 14-week commitment to learn more about of safeguarding and reminded them that as pastoral agents, they must act and genuinely respond to abuse cases and “ensure that a culture of safeguarding is realized within the Church and in the entire society.”
In conclusion, the lecture served as a powerful reminder that all have a role to play in creating a Church that is truly “the light of the world,” a place where all individuals can feel safe, respected, and protected.
