Augusta Muthigani, regional expert of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, attended the Regional Learning Conference on Care Reform, organised by the Association of Member Episcopal Conference in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) in Nairobi, Kenya Sept. 24-26.  

At the close of the conference, which reflected on the theme “Inspiring Faith Action for Care Reform: Reflections from the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishop’s (KCCB) Work”, delegates from the member conferences of AMECEA, committed to adopting a holistic approach to care reform and Safeguaring of minors and vulnerable adults.  

Over 100 delegates from AMECEA member countries, including bishops, priests, religious men and women, as well as Safeguarding and family life coordinators, came together to deepen their understanding of Safeguarding and the protection of minors and vulnerable persons. Mr. Joseph Mogosi Motari, Principal Secretary of the Kenyan State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, also attended the event.  

“We must focus on the values, not just statistics” 

“Children are a gift from God and must be formed and cared for, not policed.” Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Nyeri, vice-chairman of the Kenyan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (KCCB), said.  

Emphasising the need for a paradigm shift in caring for children and individuals with special needs, the archbishop stressed the importance of enhancing Safeguarding by strengthening the family as the primary care unit, noting that poverty, domestic violence, and dysfunctional families are the root causes that push children into institutional care.  

He urged the Church to collaborate with governments and civil society to focus on creating safe environments for children in schools and digital spaces and achieving sustainable care reforms, reiterating that “we must focus on the values, not just the statistics” and that “children are not statistics.”  

“Let us go beyond theory and ensure real, positive changes for them,” he said.  

Archbishop Muheria said the Catholic Church’s social teaching should guide these efforts, particularly in upholding the dignity of the human person, and that the well-being and safety of children should be the key indicators of progress in care reform.  

The Family’s Role in Safeguarding 

Bishop Joseph Mwongela of Kitui, chairman of the KCCB Commission for Pastoral and Lay Apostolate, highlighted the importance of the family in the Catholic Church’s safeguarding mission for children.  

Drawing inspiration from St. Joseph, the protector of the Holy Family, he called on parents and communities to be moral leaders for their children. “When handling children, including those with special needs and disabilities, we all must be caring, not careless” Bishop Mwongela said. 

Further contributions came from Zambian Bishop Edwin Mwansa Mulandu of Mpika and Tanzanian Bishop Severine Niwemugizi of Rulenge-Ngara, who both reinforced the Church’s calling to protect children by fostering healthy families and that a strong family is the foundation for successful Safeguarding efforts. 

The Commission’s regional team emphasised the significance of Safeguarding policies aligned with the Universal Guidelines Framework (UGF) and the critical role the Memorare Initiative (MI) plays in strengthening Safeguarding frameworks within the Bishops’ Conferences.  

The Memorare Initiative is built around the Universal Guidelines Framwork, and Pope Francis’ 2019 motu proprio, “Vos Estis Lux Mundi.” The initiative was developed in 2023 by the Commission in response to Pope Francis’ request to assist local churches in implementing the requirements of church law for the protection of minors and vulnerable adults.  

The Memorare Initiative is based upon three pillars:   

• Firstly, the creation of offices or insitutions to receive reports of abuse and to listen to victims/survivors, their families, and to refer them to the professional or pastoral services they require;   

• Secondly, assistance in the development and implementation of training and education programs for the prevention of sexual abuse in church settings;  

• Thirdly, the creation of local Safeguarding networks for resource sharing.    

The AMECEA Regional Learning Conference provided a platform for religious leaders, government officials, and care refom advocates to reaffirm their commitment to transforming care reform in the region through collaborative family-centered approaches. The focus on strengthening families, safeguarding vulnerable individuals, and engaging young people in open dialouge was identified as critical for the success of future care reform efforts.