Wau Diocese to Develop Safeguarding Policy

By Ginaba Lino

The Catholic Diocese of Wau has concluded a rigorous three-day training program focused on safeguarding, protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), and policy development. Supported by Mozerio and implemented in collaboration with partner organizations, the training brought together heads of departments from across diocesan arms to enhance their capacity in child protection, transparency, and ethical governance.

The participants, drawn from education, social services, health, pastoral care, and administrative units, gathered under the overarching goal of ensuring that the Diocese’s operations are anchored in principles of dignity, safety, and accountability. Over the course of the sessions, attendees were equipped with best practices, legal frameworks, reporting mechanisms, survivor-centered approaches, and strategies to draft inclusive diocesan policies.

At the closing session, Sherihan Sediq, representing the participants, expressed heartfelt gratitude toward the organizers and trainers. She framed the training as tangible proof of the Diocese’s resolute concern for vulnerable populations. “This is not just a workshop,” she said, “but a declaration that we will not allow injustice or abuse to hide within our walls. We must put into practice what we have learned, and transform our institutions from the inside out.”

Bishop Matthew Remijio Adam of the Catholic Diocese of Wau addressed the gathering with solemn encouragement. He urged all diocesan departments to cultivate internal environments where dignity, respect, and safety are nonnegotiable. He emphasized that protective measures must not remain theoretical but must be woven into the daily life and structures of the Church’s work. “Every child, every vulnerable person entrusted to us, deserves protection, respect, and honor. We cannot afford to fail in this mission,” he declared.

One of the tangible outcomes of the training is the imminent formal establishment of a Safeguarding and Policy Development Committee. This body will carry responsibility for drafting, reviewing, and institutionalizing a comprehensive diocesan safeguarding policy that addresses children and other vulnerable groups—such as persons with disabilities, displaced persons, and marginalized communities—who interact with diocesan services. The committee is expected to consult widely, involve stakeholders at all levels of the Diocese, and ensure the resulting policies are contextually appropriate, survivor-centered, and enforceable.

Beyond policy drafting, the training stressed that safeguarding is not solely about rules or procedures, but about cultivating a culture of vigilance, compassion, and accountability. Department heads were urged to lead by example, to ensure that power is exercised responsibly, to foster transparent reporting channels, and to treat any allegation with seriousness, impartiality, and care.

International observers, Church partners, and human rights organizations have long underscored the importance of faith-based institutions stepping up in the fight against abuse and exploitation. In a region where institutions often are under-resourced, and suffering is compounded by conflict and displacement, the Diocese’s initiative is being viewed as a commendable model of local ownership and proactive reform.

The success of the training reflects the Diocese’s recognition that spiritual leadership must go hand in hand with ethical governance. It acknowledges that religious institutions are not immune from the global challenge of safeguarding and that their moral voice must be backed by credible practices.

As the newly formed committee begins its work, the real test will lie in implementation, accountability, and sustained momentum. The Diocese of Wau hopes that the drafted policy will set a standard not only locally but also serve as an example to other dioceses in South Sudan and the broader region. Through collaboration, training, monitoring, and community engagement, the Church aims to ensure that those who are most vulnerable, especially children, are shielded from harm, given a voice, and supported with dignity.

This initiative comes at a time when the world is increasingly calling upon institutions, religious or secular, to move from pledges to practice, and from words to measurable protection. The Diocese of Wau has taken a courageous step. Its leadership now must hold the line, remain vigilant, and continue to transform principles into reality for the safety and well-being of all whom it serves.

Source: https://communications.amecea.org/index.php/2025/09/26/south-sudan-wau-diocese-to-develop-safeguarding-policy/