The Hekima University College – Jesuit Centre for Safeguarding in Africa (HUC–JCSA), through the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar’s (JCAM) Memorare Initiative, has launched a safeguarding consultation in the Catholic Diocese of Garissa, marking another important milestone in strengthening safeguarding across the Metropolitan See of Mombasa.
The consultation brought together 20 key diocesan personnel at the Garissa Diocesan Pastoral Centre, including the Vicar General, the Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator, the Catholic Justice and Peace Department (CJPD) Chaplain, the Vocation Director, seminarians, and other diocesan leaders committed to promoting safe and accountable Church environments.
Facilitated by Ms. Lucy Monari (JCSA Director) and Mr. Nicholas Okwatch JCSA Assistant Safeguarding Officer), the sessions introduced participants to the vision and objectives of the Memorare Initiative, its consultation methodology, implementation process, and expected outcomes. Participants also engaged in practical Appreciative Inquiry exercises and interview simulations designed to equip them with the skills needed to facilitate safeguarding consultations within parishes, institutions, and ministries across the Diocese.
Following the training, the diocesan safeguarding team was formally commissioned to begin consultations throughout the Diocese. Over the coming weeks, the team will engage clergy, religious, lay leaders, and members of local communities to gather insights that will contribute to the development of a common safeguarding protocol for the Metropolitan See of Mombasa. This collaborative process seeks to ensure that safeguarding policies and practices are rooted in local realities while reflecting the Church’s universal commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults.
The initiative received strong support from the diocesan leadership. Rt. Rev. Bishop George Muthaka welcomed the HUC–JCSA team and expressed his appreciation for their accompaniment of the Diocese. Recognizing the unique pastoral and security challenges experienced in Garissa, he thanked the team for their willingness to serve the local Church and appealed for continued collaboration in strengthening safeguarding capacity among clergy, religious, seminarians, and lay faithful.
Rt. Rev. Bishop Muthaka also acknowledged the leadership of the Metropolitan Archbishop in championing the Memorare Initiative within the ecclesiastical province. He noted that safeguarding has become an integral part of the Church’s pastoral mission, helping dioceses better understand and fulfil their responsibility to create environments that are safe, accountable, and welcoming for all.
The consultation was further strengthened by the participation of the Deputy County Commissioner, who commended both the Diocese and HUC–JCSA for their commitment to safeguarding. He reaffirmed the Government’s shared responsibility in protecting children and vulnerable adults, noting that abuse can occur in homes, schools, places of worship, and the wider community. He encouraged participants to make safeguarding a way of life through continuous formation, accountability, and pastoral accompaniment, emphasizing that protecting human dignity is central to living the Gospel.
Despite the geographical and security challenges affecting some parts of the Diocese, the diocesan leadership reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring broad participation in the consultation process while prioritizing the safety of those involved. To facilitate ongoing collaboration and accompaniment, participants established a dedicated communication platform that will support coordination, peer learning, and regular updates throughout the consultation period.
The launch of the Memorare Initiative in the Catholic Diocese of Garissa reflects JCAM’s continued commitment, through HUC–JCSA, to strengthening safeguarding across Africa and Madagascar. More than a compliance exercise, the initiative invites local Churches to embrace safeguarding as a lived expression of the Gospel, one that upholds the dignity of every person created in the image and likeness of God.
As the Diocese of Garissa embarks on this journey of listening, learning, and institutional strengthening, it joins a growing network of dioceses working to foster cultures of care, accountability, and protection. Through shared responsibility and sustained formation, the Memorare Initiative continues to support the Church’s mission of ensuring that every parish, institution, and ministry becomes a place where children, vulnerable adults, and all members of the faithful are respected, protected, and empowered to flourish.
