Safeguarding Commitment Strengthened across Malaysia and Singapore

The Autonomous Custody of St Anthony (Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei) reaffirmed its commitment to the care of minors and vulnerable adults through two intensive Safeguarding Days held in Singapore on 1 June 2026 and in Kuching, East Malaysia, on 10 June 2026.

The formation programmes brought together friars, full-time staff, key volunteers and parish ministry leaders from across the Custody. Participants included those serving in friar-led ministries in Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia (Penang and Johor), and East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), as well as leaders and volunteers from Sign Light, the ministry for the deaf. Attendance was mandatory for those with significant pastoral and leadership responsibilities.

The Safeguarding Days followed earlier meetings between the friars of Malaysia and Singapore and Mr Christopher Hu, Director of the Professional Standards and Safeguarding Office of the Custody. These formation events formed part of the Custody’s ongoing commitment to strengthening a culture of protection, accountability and care in all its ministries.

The programme featured presentations and discussions led by friars and lay professionals with expertise in civil law, canon law, psychology and counselling.

During the morning sessions, participants reflected on the current safeguarding landscape through sessions entitled Where Are We Now: Seeing and Judging, which examined the sexual abuse crisis in the Church, Clericalism, and The Developmental, Legal and Social Impact of Abuse.

After lunch, attention then turned towards practical action through the theme Where Are We Going? From Seeing and Judging to Acting, which focused on building safe environments for minors and vulnerable adults. Participants received orientations based on the Custody’s Safeguarding Handbook. Topics included the options available to victims, the Custody’s investigation process, how decisions are made, responsibilities in reporting concerns, and the restrictions, rights and options available to persons against whom complaints are made.

“In our individual ministries we need to have a higher level of competence,” said Mr Hu, emphasising the responsibility shared by all involved in pastoral service.

The formation also included practical guidance on empathetic listening to survivors and on responding appropriately when matters related to abuse arise within the context of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Each Safeguarding Day concluded with participants signing a declaration accepting the Custody’s Code of Conduct, a visible expression of their commitment to uphold safeguarding principles in their ministries.

Looking towards the future, Br Derrick Yap OFM, Custos of the Custody of St Anthony and safeguarding representative for the Conference of Religious Major Superiors of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei, highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration throughout the local Church.

“We are in the process of setting up a Safeguarding Team within the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei, with representatives from various dioceses and religious congregations for collaboration and shared resources. There will be fifteen members on this team,” he said.

The Custody has also committed itself to conducting a Safeguarding Audit every two to three years to evaluate the effectiveness of its policies and practices and to ensure continued accountability and improvement.

Through these formation initiatives, the friars and their collaborators continue to demonstrate their determination to create safe environments, to accompany those who have been harmed, and to fulfil faithfully the Church’s evangelical responsibility to protect minors and vulnerable adults throughout Malaysia and Singapore.