MSC International Safeguarding Conference, Rome

Peter Hendriks, representing Australia with Meta Jackman writes:

Monday is the last full day of the MSC Safeguarding Delegates Conference.

It has been a very full conference, and everyone has worked hard.

The delegates heard from three victims of abuse and one secondary victim

Sylvester PNG and Tina Campbell

Dan Geary FMS and Tina Campbell, Scotland with Tim

We had a visit from Fr Andrew Small OMI, the deputy for the Pontifical Council of the Protection of Minors (PCPM).

Chris Chaplin leads prayer

Other areas covered were:

- Care, Support and the accompaniment of victims

- Care, Support and management of the accused.

- Responding to allegations according to civil and church law.

- Sacrament of Reconciliation

- The internet and social media

There are 37 attendees: MSC, lay, guests and facilitators.

It was my first International MSC Conference, and it was a privilege and energising to meet other MSC from so many different countries.

Simon Mani and Tim

Meta Jackman found it very helpful to make contacts with MSC involved in Safeguarding in various provinces. She and Mary Tallon (the Irish Safeguarding Officer) were the only two lay people who were participants.

PS.   "Roberto (Italy), Peter. We only communicated via google translate, and he laughed at all my jokes! (or at my poor translation").  (Peter was obviously missing his jokes/cartoons file and sent this instead.

Thanks to Peter and Anne-Marie Snelling for sending the text and photos.