Rome, Italy. After several months of remote work, seven Claretians gathered in Rome from 18 to 23 September 2023 to deepen the Congregation’s commitment to creating safe environments and eradicating abuse.
A group of highly skilled missionaries specializing in communication, law, education, and supporting abuse victims had a working meeting with Fr. Mathew Vattamattam, the Superior General. They thoroughly discussed the contributions received from different regions across Africa, Asia, America, and Europe.
During the October intensive councils, the General Government of the Claretian Missionaries will receive updates on the group’s work and findings. The Congregation will be encouraged to strengthen further its dedication to fostering a culture of care. This aligns with the recommendations from the previous General Chapter, which aimed to provide safe environments for everyone associated with the Congregation. Such environments allow individuals to develop personally and spiritually with liberty and accountability, ultimately achieving the happiness God the Father intends for all.
As the Secretary General urged the Major Superiors of the Congregation in April, the Claretians wish to second the insistence of Pope Francis: the victims must be at the center of everything; concrete actions must be encouraged to repair the horrors they have suffered and are suffering. The missionaries who met in Rome insisted that doing everything possible and tirelessly creating a culture of respect, responsibility, transparency, and care is a key way to honor victims and survivors.
The group has affirmed the multiple efforts made in different continents and pastoral sectors like schools, boarding schools, parishes, and formation centers to prevent all forms of abuse and address any instances that may have occurred. Over the coming months, the commission will continue its work to introduce new guidelines to replace the ones that have guided the Claretian commitment in this area over the past four years.
Source: General Prefecture of the Apostolate
