By CISA
MALINDI, JUNE 29, 2021 (CISA)– Rt. Rev. Willybard Lagho, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Malindi has called for a prioritization of the safeguarding of minors.
“Our greatest role as parents, adults and members of the community is safeguarding minors ensuring the well-being and protection of children…In the footsteps of St. Joseph, let us all protect all children at all times,” Bishop Lagho said in his homily of June 20, during Family Day Celebrations at St. Joseph the Worker Outstation of St. Anthony’s Cathedral Parish in Malindi.
The prelate presented St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, as an example of successful child safeguarding through good parenting.
“When he discovered Mary was pregnant after they had been betrothed, he knew the child was not his, but was as yet unaware that she was carrying the Son of God. He resolved to send her away quietly to not expose her to shame or cruelty, because he was a virtuous man,” Bishop Lagho explained.
According to Sauti ya Jimbo, the Malindi diocesan blog, the Catholic Diocese of Malindi has taken major steps in the recent years in ensuring children in Coastal region, where child sexual abuse cases and teenage pregnancies are prevalent, are safeguarded from abuse and exploitation. The children are rescued, provided with safe spaces and counselled together with their families before they are reintegrated back to the community.
In partnership with Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, the Catholic Diocese of Malindi runs Pope Francis Rescue Home (PFRH), a rescue Centre for child victims of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, it also partners with other child protection stakeholders in Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu Counties through community sensitization forums on rights of children and safeguarding of minors.
