The Hekima University College – Jesuit Centre for Safeguarding in Africa (HUC–JCSA), through the Memorare Initiative of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM), continues to strengthen safeguarding across the Church in Africa through collaborative consultation, capacity building, and institutional commitment.

Memorare Initiative Launched in the Archdiocese of Mombasa

The Memorare Initiative officially commenced in the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa, bringing together 25 key pastoral leaders and safeguarding personnel at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre. The consultation was led by His Grace Most Rev. Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde, whose active participation throughout the two-day programme underscored the Archdiocese’s commitment to creating safer environments within the Church.

The opening sessions were facilitated by Fr. John the Baptist,SJ, who guided participants through the Memorare consultation process, outlining its objectives, methodology, key milestones, and implementation timeline. The sessions provided participants with a clear understanding of the Appreciative Inquiry approach that will guide the diocesan consultation.

Participants engaged in practical mock interviews to prepare for the field consultation phase. These simulations enabled the safeguarding team to build confidence, refine their interviewing skills, and appreciate the importance of respectful, participatory engagement with respondents.

The first day concluded with encouraging remarks from Most Rev. Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde, who expressed his confidence in both the Memorare Initiative and the HUC–JCSA facilitation team under Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar. He affirmed that the consultancy adopts an appropriate and sustainable approach to strengthening safeguarding structures within the local Church.

The second day focused on equipping participants for the next phase of the initiative. The safeguarding team completed its training and received its field assignments to conduct consultations across their respective pastoral contexts. Over the next coming weeks, team members will gather and compile data through the Appreciative Inquiry process before submitting their findings to HUC–JCSA. These findings will contribute to the development of a common safeguarding protocol for the Metropolitan See of Mombasa.

Most Rev. Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde remained present throughout both days of the consultation and expressed his appreciation for the process, reaffirming the Archdiocese’s commitment to strengthening safeguarding through collaborative engagement and shared responsibility.

Capacity Building Begins in the Diocese of Malindi

The Memorare Initiative also commenced in the Diocese of Malindi, where a core team of 20 participants gathered at St. Francis Xavier Institute for an intensive training programme that marks the beginning of the field consultancy phase.

The HUC–JCSA team facilitated the day’s sessions, introducing participants to the principles and methodology of the Memorare Initiative. Participants later took part in mock interviews and a structured debriefing session, allowing them to practice the Appreciative Inquiry methodology before engaging communities across the diocese.

The training concluded with the presence of the Bishop of Malindi, Rt. Rev. Bishop Wilfred Lagho, who joined the final session to encourage the safeguarding team. He reaffirmed his commitment to the initiative and challenged participants to faithfully carry out the responsibility entrusted to them by the Diocese.

Rt. Rev. Bishop Lagho urged the team to cultivate trust, teamwork, and deep respect for all respondents during the Appreciative Inquiry process. He also reaffirmed his full support for both the diocesan safeguarding team and the Memorare Initiative, emphasizing that safeguarding is not a peripheral activity but a central dimension of the Church’s mission and pastoral ministry.

Strengthening Safeguarding Through Collaboration

The Memorare Initiative continues to demonstrate the value of collaborative consultation, local ownership, and leadership commitment in building sustainable safeguarding systems within the Church. By empowering diocesan teams to engage their communities through Appreciative Inquiry, HUC–JCSA under JCAM are supporting dioceses in developing contextually relevant safeguarding protocols that reflect both local realities and the Church’s commitment to the dignity, safety, and well-being of every person.

As the consultations progress across the Archdiocese of Mombasa and the Diocese of Malindi, the insights gathered will contribute to stronger safeguarding frameworks and foster a culture of accountability, participation, and care throughout the Church in Africa.