LUSAKA (ZAMBIA)
Fides News Agency [Vatican City]
October 7, 2021
Lusaka (Agenzia Fides) – The people called to offer service to the Church, each in their own ministry, have a great responsibility to contribute to making society better and safer for all children and vulnerable people. This is the statement of Fr. Francis Mukosa, General Secretary of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), revealed at the opening of a recent online seminar promoted by the Catholic Safeguarding Institute.
Father Mukosa said the church suffered greatly in the recent past due to the consequences of child abuse cases. “In particular, the church is losing in terms of reputation with a consequent expulsion of so many people”.
Among the objectives of the seminar – which emerged in the note sent to Fides – is to help the church of Zambia to undertake a serious mission of evangelization as well as to help it regain credibility in the country and in the world.
During the workshop, discussions were held on the subject of sexual abuse, in particular on minors, on and on the protection of children.
Participants were offered the necessary tools to experience protection at a personal, community and ministerial level. In addition to ensuring a safe ministry for priests and religious, it is also important to guarantee a safe and abuse-free community or environment. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 7/10/2021)