The International Commission on Safeguarding in the OFM gathered for the second of its in-person meetings in the General Curia from 25 to 28 September. The agenda focused on those Entities that have already submitted policies which have received a nihil obstat from the Minister General and the Definitory, those policies which are subject to revision before receiving a nihil obstat, and the entities that have not so far submitted a policy. Mandate 9 of the General Chapter of 2021 extends to every entity of the Order and there is urgency to complete the task in the year ahead.
How to foster contact between those friars who have benefited from training in the field of Safeguarding, particularly those who received the diploma from the Gregorian University, is a way of addressing the isolation some Delegates experience in their role. Another focus was about how to integrate Safeguarding Training into Franciscan Formation. The Commission worked to assist the Director, Br Albert Schmucki, in drawing up an appendix to be included in the Ratio Formationis Francescanae.
A highlight of the meeting surprised the members. It was the visit to the atelier of Br Sidival Fila OFM, whose art focuses on revealing what is hidden from sight. Br Sidival uses the lining of vestments and other pieces, even cloth affected by mould, to bring to light what is hidden. In offering the hidden a respectful gaze, its dignity is honoured. The members of the Commission were struck by the harmony between this outlook and what happens in Safeguarding after, unfortunately, abuse has taken place, when the hidden story is listened to, honoured, and dignity is granted to the victim.
Especially enlightening also was the input from br Agustin Podestà from Argentina who shared his work on economic abuse as well as Daniel Fleitas’s survey of the book “Abuse in the Latin American Church” [ed. Véronique Lecaros and Ana Lourdes Suarez].
Finally, priorities for the years ahead were established before the meeting concluded.
