IMBISA pledges unwavering commitment to the protection of children and vulnerable adults.

Festus Tarawalie – Vatican City.

Bishops, Priests, the Religious and the Lay faithful who participated in the workshop have declared their “unwavering commitment to prioritise the safety, wellbeing and protection of children and vulnerable adults” in Catholic institutions of their region.

“We recognise the immensity and the responsibility we bear in safeguarding the children and the most vulnerable members of our community, society, and the world. We are determined to work towards a safe environment, nurturing, healing and free from abuse, harm, or exploitation,” read the statement.

The participants also pledged, among others, to “uphold the dignity of children and vulnerable persons created in the image of God” and, in line with Pope Francis, “to maintain zero tolerance in responding and reporting cases of abuse and negative behaviour. “We will regularly review our policies to align ourselves with current standards and legislative requirements to support victims/survivors,” the IMBISA statement read in part.

Support to victims of abuse

Among those who made presentations at the IMBISA formation workshop in Pretoria, South Africa, was a doctor in Clinical Psychology and a native of Mauritius, Dr Emilie Rivet Duval. The member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors spoke about support for victims of abuse.

In an interview with Vatican News, Dr Duval stressed the need to talk more often about the issue of abuse, especially of children and to lay the blame where it belongs. She also spoke about the detrimental effects of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and early marriages on sexual abuse.

Becoming a trauma-informed Church

The Secretary-General for the Regional Conference of Major Superiors of Southern Africa, Sr Nkhensani Shibambu, presented a paper on “Becoming a trauma-informed Church”. The member of the congregation of the Companions of St. Angela shared her perspective with other IMBISA participants.

Below is the full statement.

IMBISA STATEMENT: Promoting Safeguarding in the Church

We, Bishops, Priests, Religious and the Lay faithful in the IMBISA region, participants of the workshop organised by IMBISA, at Pardre Pio Centre in Pretoria, from the 26th of February to the 1st of March 2024, under the Theme Promoting Safeguarding in the Church declare our unwavering commitment to prioritise the safety, wellbeing and protection of children and vulnerable adults in our Catholic institutions. We recognize the immensity and the responsibility we bear in safeguarding the children, and the most vulnerable members of our community, society, and the world at large. We are determined to work towards an environment that is safe, nurturing, healing and free from any form of abuse, harm, or exploitation. We declare the following on safeguarding of children and vulnerable persons:

● Through the child centered approach, we uphold the dignity of children and vulnerable persons created in the image of God. Thus, promoting their participation and decision-making and listening to their voices and acknowledging their rights and responsibilities.

● In line with the Holy Father, Pope Francis, we maintain zero tolerance in responding and reporting cases of abuse: emotional, physical, sexual, spiritual, and social abuse and negative behaviour. We also denounce negative cultural practices.

● Guided by safeguarding policies in our Catholic institutions we take immediate action to prevent and respond to allegations or incidents of abuse.

● We are committed to maintain safe and healthy environments that mitigate risks to children and vulnerable adults. We are dedicated to adopting without delaying a culture of vigilance, transparency, and accountability.

● We will actively collaborate and work together with our Pastors and the Civil Authorities, Communities, Parents, Children, Youths, and Laity in the IMBISA region.

● We are committed to on-going education, formation, and training to enhance our understanding for protection and safeguarding.

● We will regularly review our Policies to align ourselves with current standards and legislative requirements to support victims/survivors.

● We acknowledge the need to provide Pastoral Care to perpetrators.

● We will act with integrity, empathy and diligence putting prayer as a source of our Gospel values.

The Participants.