2020-01-31 PHILIPPINES

East Asia Province takes a strong stand on child protection and safeguarding

The statement from the 22nd General Chapter to the victims and survivors of abuse articulates a strong commitment to “provide training and awareness to prevent child abuse from happening again in our Marist institutions.”  The East Asia Province responded to this call by organizing two groups for a seminar workshop on “Creating Safe and Sacred Spaces:  Promoting Safeguarding for Healthy Ministry”. It was held on January 20-23, 2020 and January 24-26, 2020 at the Marist Asia Spirituality and Mission Center, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. Earlier on, Br. Robert Teoh spearheaded the organization of a workshop on “Care for Self and Others in Ministry” in Malaysia. It was held on January 13-16,2020 in Penang, Malaysia, with 60 participants of priests and religious including four (4) Bishops, coming from the Diocese of Penang, Melaka-Johor Diocese and the Archdiocese of Kutching.

Penang, Malaysia

In the Philippines, the first group had a total of 63 participants with fifty-five priests from the Diocese of Marbel, two from the Archdiocese of Cotabato and six priests from the Diocese of Kidapawan. Participants expressed their interest of knowing more about the practical steps in addressing emerging concerns about Child Protection, and the desire to have a similar experience, done locally, for their parish pastoral councils and parishioners.

Priests from the Diocese of Marbel, two from the Archdiocese of Cotabato and six priests from the Diocese of Kidapawan

The second group were all from Marist institutions and mission areas. A total of seventy attendees with 31 brothers, 2 religious sisters and 37 laity.

The competent resource persons for Malaysia and Philippines workshops were Rev. Fr. Barry O’Sullivan and Br. Brendan Geary, FMS. Both are experts in the field of child protection and safeguarding. The participants were given inputs and practical exercises that led them to reflect on the relevance of safeguarding as ministry.

Br. Jeff Rhey Antiquisa, the Coordinator of the East Asia Province Child and Youth Protection and Safeguarding Desk, looks forward to a more strengthened collaboration with Marist schools and ministries as he notes the action plans delineated by the participants. The Provincial, Br. Dominador A. Santiago, together with his Provincial Council expressed that: “…concretizing our journey with the young and those on the fringes of society is our dream. Having a strong stand and fully supporting initiatives in safeguarding children and young people is at the heart of the leadership we will carry out in our Province and beyond”.

With a total of 133 trained participants in the Philippines and 60 in Penang, Malaysia, the Provincial leaders and the Children and Youth Protection and Safeguarding Desk now hope for  strengthened collaborative initiatives to further the ministry of working for the best interests of children, young people, and adults in situations where they are vulnerable.

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