Daniele Donini and Communication Staff

At its fall Plenary Assembly, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors gave the green light to launching the Memorare Initiative and simultaneously piloting the Universal Guidelines Framework (UGF) throughout the Diocese of Tonga, in the Pacific, as part of a testing phase for the Commission’s safeguarding capacity building program in underdeveloped churches with a large youth population.  

This innovative project took a significant step forward in November with a three-day workshop held in Tonga on formation in the safeguarding principles and criteria for Church personnel as outlined in the Universal Framework.  

Daniele Donnini, Asia – Oceania regional expert for the Commission facilitated the sessions during the workshop, providing foundational insights and practical guidance for implementing the framework at all levels of the church present in the Diocese.  

The purpose of the pilot project in Tonga is to test the UGF and deepen the Commission’s understanding of its strengths and weaknesses when applied to different contexts. The sessions also serve to help local churches that have no Safeguarding resources to develop protocols and procedures tailored to the culture and structure of the community, in this case the communities of Tonga and Niue. 

Empowering Safeguarding Leaders in the Local Church  

Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi, Bishop of Tonga and Niue, participated in all three days of the workshop as an expression of active and accountable leadership in Safeguarding ministry. 

He joined personnel from across the diverse church structures at the sessions which offered comprehensive formation on the Commission and the Church’s Safeguarding mandate. Participants also explored and offered feedback on the Safeguarding methodology and the practical application of the UGF.  

Interactive workshops were held to help the local church develop Safeguarding strategies that reflect the universal Church’s Safeguarding requirements while respecting the unique cultural and contextual realities of the Pacific Island communities.  

Collaborative Efforts for Safeguarding in the Pacific  

Daniele had the opportunity to visit Fiji and meet with Sister Mariana Tevurega, SM, the Safeguarding Delegate in Suva. Sr. Mariana plays a vital role in supporting the Pacific Regional Seminary in Fiji by assisting in the development of Safeguarding protocols, which are a crucial aspect of seminarians’ formation.  

During their meeting, they discussed the current Safeguarding context and status of the local church in Fiji, as well as the Commission’s mandate and ways  it could provide support  

Looking ahead, the Regional Group will assist strengthening Safeguarding capacity both within the local church and the Pacific Regional Seminary .