Groundbreaking safeguarding workshop at the Pacific Regional Seminary marks pivotal shift toward stronger protections and open dialogue on abuse prevention. 

FIJI — On 12^th February the Pacific Regional Seminary (PRS) of Saint Peter Chanel hosted a two-day Safeguarding Formation Workshop, bringing together approximately 120 participants, including 100 seminarians from across the Pacific, faculty members, and diocesan personnel – marking a crucial milestone in safeguarding training in the Pacific Islands, largely absent until now. 

The workshop aimed to reinforce a culture of safeguarding within the Pacific Church by deepening participants’ understanding of best-practice safeguarding methodologies and the Universal Guidelines Framework (UGF). Through a combination of presentations, case study reflections, and interactive workshops, participants explored effective strategies to promote safeguarding within their local contexts. 

The event was facilitated by Daniele Donnini, the Commission’s Regional Safeguarding Expert for Asia Oceania, and Sinalelea F’eao, the Commission’s Member for Asia Oceania. Discussions were focused on leadership in safeguarding, cultural considerations, and the practical challenges of implementing safeguarding policies. As a meeting place for seminarians from various Pacific Island nations, the seminary provides a unique opportunity to address safeguarding in a context shaped by diverse traditions and communal structures. While these cultural frameworks often foster shared responsibility and care, they can also reinforce hierarchical norms and discourage open discussions about abuse. 

The workshop emphasized the importance of balancing respect for local traditions with the need for reform where certain practices contribute to safeguarding risks. Recognizing that safeguarding must be both effective and culturally sensitive, participants engaged in discussions about how to integrate safeguarding principles while preserving the values that strengthen community life. 

A key challenge identified was the seminary’s limited capacity for canon law formation, particularly regarding safeguarding. To address this, plans are underway for a three-day Canon Law Workshop to be led by Mons. Dr. Brendan Daly, canon law expert.  

 The next step is to try and facilitate canonical formation in this need area, continue to raise awareness to both the issue and church requirements, and support ongoing formation to increase capacity of the leaders now and those of the future seminarians to lead this work. – Daniele Donnini 

Donnini noted that all participants expressed strong engagement and a growing commitment to safeguarding within the Church. They acknowledged both the necessity of addressing abuse and the broader social, economic, and political challenges that can hinder progress, including ingrained church structures and historical reluctance to confront the issue directly. 

Looking ahead, ongoing collaboration between faculty, safeguarding experts, and local communities will be essential in ensuring lasting change. By fostering open dialogue and embedding safeguarding principles into formation programs, the seminary is laying the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient safeguarding culture within the Pacific Church.