I must be honest: I was the first to complain when a funding agency insisted that we put safeguarding policies and procedures in place in our ministry in Kulaman with the Indigenous Peoples. I felt it was an imposition on the culture and believed we should be able to trust one another since we knew each other well. Why the paranoia?
Over time, however, I became an advocate for safeguarding. With the rising cases of abuse worldwide, safeguarding is no longer an optional add-on to our ministries; it has become a responsibility. Even in communities where relationships are strong and trust is deeply valued, we are called to be vigilant and proactive. In fact, safeguarding is integral to our mission to ensure that the person ministering is safe, the community is safe, and the ministry—and the services we provide—are safe. Our spaces must be recognized as sanctuaries of trust and hospitality.
There have already been many breaches of trust through abuses committed within church premises, ministry contexts, and religious communities. These must stop.
Each of us—leaders, ministers, volunteers, and community members—must take personal and collective responsibility for safeguarding. This means putting clear policies in place, forming people through regular training, listening seriously to concerns, and responding promptly and transparently when harm is reported. Silence, complacency, or over reliance on familiarity can no longer be our response.
If our mission is truly rooted in love, justice, and human dignity, then safeguarding is not optional—it is essential. Let us commit ourselves to building ministries where every child, every vulnerable adult, every sister, and every co-worker can genuinely say:
“Here, I am safe.”
Sr Patricia Lourdes “Petite” Lao, RNDM is a religious missionary of the Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions. She is currently a doctoral candidate of the Toronto School of Theology (Regis College) with a research interest in Indigenous-visible minority dialogue and the truth and reconciliation process.
