Port Moresby: The Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea has taken a proactive step to address abuse and promote healing within its communities with a week-long training program, Right Relationship in Ministry (RRM), held from November 11–16 at the Emmaus Conference Centre in Port Moresby. The training aimed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to become assessors in the Church's growing initiative to prevent and respond to various forms of abuse, including child sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, and other forms of harm within both the Church and society at large.
Addressing Abuse and Restoring Human Dignity
The training program was led by Sr. Ancy John SCSA, Director of Right Relationship in Ministry, alongside a team of key facilitators: Bishop Rozario Menezes SMM, Bishop of Lae Diocese and Deputy for Right Relationships in Ministry; Mr. Paul Harricknen, President of the Catholic Professional Society (CPS) and RR Assessor; and Ms. Esther Igo, CPS Vice President and RR Assessor.
In total, 12 participants from the six Dioceses of the four Regions of Papua New Guinea took part in the program, with the goal of preparing them to serve as RRM assessors. The primary focus of the initiative is to address the deeply concerning issues of abuses within the Church, ensuring that such behaviour is confronted, victims supported, and the dignity of every individual protected.
Mr Paul Harricknen emphasized the Church’s moral responsibility to safeguard human dignity, stressing that it is essential for the Church to uphold its foundational values of being One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. The RRM ministry, Harricknen explained, is about helping to rebuild relationships and provide care for those affected by abuse.
Sr Ancy highlighted on the image of the church as a Communion and it is divided when there are any form of abuses while introducing the protocols and the church processes. The entire process is to bring about justice, fairness and healing to everyone involved. Prevention of abuses and creating safe places for our children and vulnerable people, advocating the “Zero Tolerance” policy of Pope Francis.
While Ms Igo said that to be an assessor is a special call from the church. She focused when the cases are reported how do we deal with it, following the Church procedures as specified in the protocols. The importance of praying prior to the interviews and reporting. The core of their work as assessors is facilitating the process of disclosures and reporting. Therefore, confidentiality and obtaining appropriate interview techniques are very crucial in this responsibility.
A Societal Issue
Bishop Rozario Menezes SMM, who served as the keynote speaker, highlighted that abuse is not confined to the Church but is a widespread societal issue affecting families, communities, and institutions across the country. He noted, “Abuse can happen anywhere within families, schools, and even by trusted individuals such as teachers and parents. Homes are broken, and human dignity is lost, creating a cycle of trauma and pain.”
Bishop Rozario shared an alarming statistic, revealing that 99% of children in Papua New Guinea experience some form of trauma, with the vast majority of cases going unreported due to fear of stigma or a lack of awareness. He stressed the urgent need for preventive measures, adding, “Prevention is better than cure.” The bishop also called for greater awareness and advocacy around the issues of abuse and trauma, emphasizing that the Church must provide clear pathways for victim-survivors to seek support and healing.
Building a System of Protection and Collaboration
To combat abuse and promote right relationships, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands (CBC PNGSI) through the office of Right Relationships in Ministry has established offices at both national and diocesan levels. These offices focus on family life, child protection, and right relationships. Since 2021, the Church has worked in collaboration with the National Office for Family and Child Services through a Memorandum of Understanding. This partnership has led to the training of diocesan service coordinators, who serve as community child protection officers and work closely with provincial child protection officers.
Bishop Menezes reaffirmed the Church's zero-tolerance policy toward abuse, but he also highlighted the importance of pastoral care and rehabilitation for those who commit such acts. He stated, “As a bishop, I cannot sit idle while children are abused in families, schools, or communities. The Church is committed to both protecting children and offering the grace of healing to perpetrators.”
Commissioning of New Assessors
The training concluded with a commissioning ceremony on November 15, where the 12 participants were formally recognized for completing the program and awarded certificates by Fr. Giorgio Licini, PIME, General Secretary of CBC PNGSI. In his address, Fr. Licini urged the newly trained assessors to approach their roles with dedication, integrity, and confidentiality, reminding them that their ministry reflects God's love and is rooted in service to the Church.
Quoting from Scripture, Fr. Licini said, “Christ came not for the perfect, but for sinners. The Church is a place for all, promoting healing, prevention, and pastoral care.” He encouraged the assessors to remain steadfast in their commitment to protecting human dignity and supporting the Church’s broader mission of healing and advocacy.
Ongoing Advocacy and Support
The Church’s ongoing commitment to tackling abuse extends beyond this training initiative. Through the Right Relationship in Ministry (RRM) program, the Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands is not only focused on prevention but also on creating awareness within communities and empowering individuals to report and address abuse. The newly trained assessors are now tasked with promoting right relationships, advocating for the protection of children and vulnerable individuals, and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable while receiving the necessary pastoral support.
As CBC RRM continues its work, it aims to provide a framework that fosters unity and accountability, ultimately breaking the cycle of abuse and restoring dignity to all affected individuals. The Church remains dedicated to ensuring that the healing process is not only spiritual but also practical, helping to prevent further harm and promote a culture of respect, care, and compassion throughout its communities.
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