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(Vatican Radio) The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors has released a communiqué at the end of its week-long Plenary Assembly at the Vatican. Dated February 8, 2016, the statement details the focal points and proposals that emerged from the six Working Groups of the session, including a request for Pope Francis to remind all authorities in the Church of the importance of responding directly to victims and survivors who approach them, the finalization of a Universal Day of Prayer, and a penitential liturgy.

The communiqué goes on to list upcoming activities of the Commission and partner organizations, including workshops on the legal aspects of the Protection of Minors with a view to to establishing greater transparency around canonical trials, and the development of a website to facilitate sharing of best practices for the protection of minors around the world.

Below, please find the full text, in its official English version, of the communiqué from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors 

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News Release

Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors

8 February 2016

TO BE RELEASED IMMEDIATELY

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors has had seven full days of meetings in Rome. Meetings of the six Working Groups focused on updates for current projects, and developing and drafting proposals. Outside collaborators who assisted the Working Groups included the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development (CAFOD), and an expert in Penal Canon Law. Draft proposals were presented to the Plenary Assembly for further discussion and decision about policies to propose to the Holy Father. Policies endeavor to recognize the diversity of information and guidance currently available to the Church around the world.

Examples of proposals being finalized for Pope Francis’ consideration include: a request for him to remind all authorities in the Church of the importance of responding directly to victims and survivors who approach them; the finalization of a Universal Day of Prayer and a penitential liturgy.

Workshops on the legal aspects of the Protection of Minors to establish more transparency around canonical trials, with participation of external collaborators, are planned for later in the year and a report and recommendations will be provided at the next Plenary Assembly. A website is also being developed to share Best Practice for the Protection of Minors around the world.

In order to fulfill the mission of the Holy Father’s Chirograph for the Institution of the Commission to promote local responsibility, Commission members are actively in contact with numerous Bishops Conferences, and members of the Commission have presented to Religious Conferences and Congregations on safeguarding minors. 

Over the past year or so, Commission members have met with Bishops and child protection authorities in: Philippines, Austria, Pacific Islands, New Zealand, Scotland, Poland, Central America (in Costa Rica), United States National Safe Environment (SECs) and Victims Assistance Coordinators (VACs). As an outcome of the workshop conducted by members of the Commission last August in the Philippines, the Philippine Bishops’ Conference created a child safeguarding office and Pastoral Exhortation on the pastoral care and protection of minors.

A meeting is planned in March in Ghana with Secretaries General of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), and a second meeting with child protection practitioners drawn from the Association of Member  Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) in Tanzania. Commission members are also attending the Anglophone Safeguarding Conference in Rome and the United States National Safe Environment and Victims Assistance Coordinators 2016.  In 2017 the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) has requested a workshop with Commission members.

The Commission likewise welcomes the recent announcement that in a week’s time the first course offering a diploma in the Safeguarding of Minors at the Pontifical Gregorian University will start with 19 participants from four continents: Africa, Europe, America and Asia.

The September 2016 meeting of the Commission will have a strategic focus on safeguarding minors in Catholic schools, and will invite contributions from experts in Latin America, England and Wales.

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors was created by Pope Francis in March of 2014. The Chirograph of His Holiness Pope Francis states specifically, “The Commission’s specific task is to propose to me the most opportune initiatives for protecting minors and vulnerable adults, in order that we may do everything possible to ensure that crimes such as those which have occurred are no longer repeated in the Church. The Commission is to promote local responsibility in the particular Churches, uniting their efforts to those of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, for the protection of all children and vulnerable adults.”

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 WASHINGTON-Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York called on everyone "concerned about the tragedy of abortion" to recommit to a "vision of life and love, a vision that excludes no one" on January 14. His statement marks the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Cardinal Dolan chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Most Americans oppose a policy allowing legal abortion for virtually any reason - though many still do not realize that this is what the Supreme Court gave us," wrote Cardinal Dolan. "Most want to protect unborn children at later stages of pregnancy, to regulate or limit the practice of abortion, and to stop the use of taxpayer dollars for the destruction of unborn children. Yet many who support important goals of the pro-life movement do not identify as 'pro-life,' a fact which should lead us to examine how we present our pro-life vision to others."

"Even as Americans remain troubled by abortion," wrote Cardinal Dolan, a powerful and well-funded lobby holds "that abortion must be celebrated as a positive good for women and society, and those who cannot in conscience provide it are to be condemned for practicing substandard medicine and waging a 'war on women'." He said this trend was seen recently when President Obama and other Democratic leaders prevented passage of the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act, "a modest measure to provide for effective enforcement" of conscience laws.

"While this is disturbing," said Cardinal Dolan, "it is also an opportunity." Pro-life Americans should reach out to "the great majority of Americans" who are "open to hearing a message of reverence for life." He added that "we who present the pro-life message must always strive to be better messengers. A cause that teaches the inexpressibly great value of each and every human being cannot show disdain or disrespect for any fellow human being." He encouraged Catholics to take part, through prayer and action, in the upcoming "9 Days for Life" campaign, January 16-24. More information on the campaign is available online: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxJwfcefUiU

He also cited the Year of Mercy called by Pope Francis as a time for women and men to find healing through the Church's Project Rachel post-abortion ministry.

The full text of Cardinal Dolan's message is available online.
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Keywords: Roe v. Wade, anniversary, Pro-Life, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, 9 Days for Life, USCCB, U.S. bishops, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Year of Mercy, Project Rachel, Pope Francis
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(Vatican Radio) February 8 is the feast day of St Josephine Bakita, a Sudanese woman who was sold into slavery, abused and later freed.

The day is also an opportunity to remember – and pray for – the many victims of modern day slavery - human trafficking - as well as for those who work to combat this “scourge of humanity” as Pope Francis has described the phenomenon.

Faith based organizations across the globe, who are involved in fighting human trafficking and in accompanying and rehabilitating its victims, are inviting all men and women of goodwill to participate in the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking.

One such organization is the Jesuit Refugee Service. Amongst its many services geared to assist refugees and advocate for their rights, are the existence of“Safe Havens” in strategic locations which provide physical and emotional protection and safe spaces for those caught in cycles of violence.

That’s because women, adolescent and children refugees are amongst the easiest and most profitable prey for human traffickers, as highlighted by a recent Europol report that says that over 10,000 refugee and migrant children, prime targets for sex work and slavery, have disappeared in Europe.

Jacquelyn Pavilon, International Communications Coordinator at the Jesuit Refugee Service in Rome, tells Linda Bordoni that awareness is the first step in the fight against trafficking:

Listen to the interview:

Pavilon explains that in the fight to prevent refugee children from falling into the hands of human traffickers JRS works with unaccompanied minors both before they have actually left their countries of origin (in their first countries of transit) and also in their secondary countries of transit.

For example – she says – in Ethiopia they may be Eritreans who have fled forced conscription or the threat of it.

“We provide Safe Havens for them, job opportunities and education opportunities that provide a future for them so they don’t feel the need to move on. And to those of them who have decided to make dangerous journeys to Europe, we offer the same opportunities here” she says.

She says JRS has a network  which offers child protection centers, education, advocating for legal rights, family reunification processes, etc.

Pavilon says that at JRS they are convinced that education is one of the best forms of protection against trafficking.

That’s why the organization runs education programmes for refugees across the globe and is participating actively in the current Holy Year of Mercy with its “Mercy in Motion” campaign which aims to hugely increase the number of refugees benefiting from educational projects.

Education – she says – “really creates a safe space for young people to explore their potential, as well as the fact that those who are in school are not as vulnerable to traffickers, to forced marriages, to child labour:  it not only creates opportunities but a physical safe space for them to stay in”.

Regarding this International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking, Pavilion says that awareness is really the first step in the fight against trafficking.

She says that until Europol published its shocking report on the fact that 10,000 minors have vanished in Europe, most people had no idea that this many children are missing, and what’s more many have pre-conceived ideas about refugees that do not reflect reality and that impacts on all sorts of things from policy-making to the integration of refugees. 

Pavilon says that awareness is really key because until we all understand what is happening to refugees we can’t take action.
  
     
 

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The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has commended the Diocese of Nssukka for building a solid Church that has transformed the lives and people of the area in their faith.

This commendation was made by the Archbishop of Owerri in Nigeria, Anthony Obinna who spoke on behalf of the CBCN President, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama. Archbishop Obinna was speaking at Saint Theresa’s Cathedral, Nssukka during the Holy Mass  to mark the Silver jubilee of the creation of the Diocese of Nssukka and the episcopal silver jubilee of its first Bishop, emeritus Bishop Francis Okobo.

Speaking at the event, Archbishop Obinna underscored the fact that, “There is no doubt that this diocese has grown from a mustard seed-Church planted on rugged land to a fructifying and towering church, family of God, solidly rooting itself deep into the soul of the people and transforming its bio-cultural arteries with the good news of Christ.  As we say congratulations for these 25 years - may the next 25 years bring God’s further blessings for the plentiful harvest in your work together,” he said.

Congratulating the Bishop emeritus of Nsukka, Francis Okobo, for attaining 25 years in the episcopate and 50 years in the priesthood, Archbishop Obinna described him as “a very loyal, competent servant of the Catholic Church. He commended him on the successes of his pastoral ministry and also on being a warm-hearted pastor endowed with an “explosive laughter,” Archbishop Obinna noted.

Archbishop Obinna further thanked the current Bishop of Nssukka Diocese, Godfrey Onah, the clergy, laity and religious of the diocese for putting up what he described as an outstanding celebration.

“The CBCN stands in deep appreciation for all your labour of love for the spread of God’s kingdom in Nsukka Diocese and Nigeria at large.  Thank you for your special love and care.  To Bishop Godfrey Onah and the entire clergy, laity and religious, thank you  for putting up this outstanding celebration.” He concluded.

(CNSNg.org)
Email: engafrica@vatiradio.va

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