"There Is No Denying the Existence of Sexual Abuse in the African Church"

By Lucie Sarr
La Croix International
June 25, 2019

https://international.la-croix.com/news/there-is-no-denying-the-existence-of-sexual-abuse-in-the-african-church/10394

Sister Solange Sahon Sia. (Photo: La Croix Africa)

Sister Solange Sahon Sia is a member of the Congregation of Our Lady of Calvary. She is a theologian and director of the Centre for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons, which opened in March at the Catholic Missionary Institute of Abidjan. The institute is based in the thriving commercial hub in the West African nation of Ivory Coast.In this interview with La Croix Africa, Sister Solange talks about abuse in the Catholic Church and society.La Croix Africa: What is the reason for the opening of a Centre for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons at the Catholic Missionary Institute of Abidjan?Sister Solange Sahon Sia: It is a way of finding an answer to a problem that is quite absent in the Church's mission.That is, to think of a new form of evangelization that can be called the evangelization of consciences.The center tries, through training, awareness-raising, listening and accompaniment, to help the local Church in its mission to protect minors and vulnerable people.The creation of this center is also in line with the approach taken over...