Bishops in the Catholic Church are called to promote a safe environment while providing much needed support to those affected by abuse, Bishop Luis Ali Herrera, secretary to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM) said in a message to East African bishops.

In his address to members of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), Bishop Ali Herrera reminded the bishops that Pope Francis “has repeatedly called us as pastors to reach out to those who are on the margins, the vulnerable and the outcast of our church and society.”

“Still today many children, many vulnerable women are suffering in silence to find their voice. We must let them know they will be heard if they speak up,”

Bishop Ali Herrera.

As leaders we must show that the way forward is through our example, letting our people see that we will listen to people who have been impacted by abuse, wherever this abuse may have occurred,” he said. 

The AMECEA Church Leaders Workshop is currently being held from 1-5 July in Nairobi, Kenya. The first day of the workshop was dedicated to Safeguarding, including the sharing of best practices between countries to better develop policies and structures to prevent abuse as well as, the implementation of the Memorare Initiative .

Thanking the participants for the invitation to address the meeting, Bishop Ali Herrera highlighted the Commission’s mandate “to accompany the local churches in the development and realization of their safeguarding guidelines,” to “oversee and accompany the implementation of Vos estis lux mundi’s mandatory reporting requirements,” and to produce an annual report on “the Church’s progress in safeguarding.”

 Bishop Ali Herrera said the Commission understands the challenges bishops may face “in creating safeguarding structures in their churches, to promote safe environments and support services to people who have been impacted by abuse.”

“Dear Brother bishops I ask you this: Who is more vulnerable, who is more outcast than those who have suffered the crime of abuse, even more so when that crime has been committed by a member of our church?”

Bishop Ali Herrera

The Secretary added that the Commission is also aware of the challenges churches face in creating systems or offices dedicated to Safeguarding “due to lack of human and financial resources” and highlighted the launch of the Memorare Initiative as a way of fostering “concrete solidarity between churches north and south in a synodal sharing of knowledge and resources in safeguarding.”

The Memorare Initiative is a capacity building program developed by the Commission to help less structured churches meet their safeguarding obligations.

In his address to the Commission in April 2022, the Pope urged the members “to assist the Bishops’ Conferences – this is very important: to assist and supervise in dialogue with the Bishops’ Conferences – in the establishment of suitable centers where people who have suffered abuse, and their families, can find welcome and attentive listening and be accompanied in a process of healing and justice.”

Bishop Ali Herrera commended the bishops of AMECEA and noted that their respective bishops’ conferences are “already doing a lot of work in safeguarding and child protection in your countries.” He also emphasized the support the Commission wishes to give to the Episcopal Conferences and their Safeguarding efforts.

“Indeed, it is commendable that all AMECEA member Episcopal Conferences have safeguarding offices and their policies are under review to align them with Vos Estis Lux Mundi and other relevant church documents,” he said.

“This is a clear indication of your commitment in integrating safeguarding into your evangelization work.”

Bishop Ali Herrera