All 15 Archdioceses, Eparchies, and Exarchates of the UGCC Trained in Preventing Violence Against Children
The UCU Center for Child Dignity has completed training on the prevention of violence against minors and vulnerable persons in all dioceses and exarchates of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine. This initiative has reached 70 % of UGCC priests.
This was reported by the UCU Center for Child Dignity.
According to the security policy “Norms and Principles for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons in the Pastoral Activities of the UGCC in Ukraine,” approved in 2022 by the Synod of Bishops, priests in each diocese and exarchate of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine must undergo training on the prevention of violence against children. In line with these policies, the UCU Center for Child Dignity has been conducting these trainings for all UGCC dioceses since October 2022. The lectures were delivered by Ivanka Rudakevych, Head of Projects and Programs, and Sava Masnyk, a Studite hieromonk and psychologist.
Ivanka Rudakevych stated: “It is important that these studies took place among priests from one or more dioceses. We spent the whole day communicating with the participants. It was an open platform for asking questions, expressing opinions or doubts, and sharing experiences. This is wonderful because the topic of child abuse is rarely discussed at all, as if it does not exist.”
The training was conducted with the assistance of local bishops, both in-person and online, allowing it to reach clergy in the exarchates in near-frontline areas.
“Caring for children is an imitation of Christ. Children are the Church and the future of the Church. The meetings with our clergy were pivotal, though sometimes difficult. The priests had the opportunity to become more sensitive and create a safe environment for minors in the Church. The service of the Truth can be troublesome, but it is an expression of sacrifice, especially when it comes to the abuse of minors. Therefore, it is important to understand and provide assistance in spiritual, psychological, legal, canonical, or medical aspects,” said Hieromonk Sava Masnyk.
According to the UGCC’s security policy, every priest must undergo such training every two years. The information received should be disseminated to all members of the church community, including employees, volunteers, parents, and children, through parish priests or designated persons in the parishes.
“The priest is the one to whom a child with an experience of abuse can turn during parish events, camps, individual conversations, or confession. And it is important that he understands how to talk to such a child, how to respond properly, what constitutes violence, and what its consequences are,” Ivanka added.
Since its foundation, cooperation with the Church has been a priority for the UCU Center for Child Dignity. The center is working to form a safety model involving clergy, children, and parents, where all parties are aware of protection issues. Its goal is to equip the church community with the knowledge and tools so that every priest, monk, nun, or layperson who works or volunteers:
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Understands their personal responsibility for protecting children from violence;
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Understands and uses mechanisms for the prevention of violence against children;
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Knows how to respond professionally and sensitively to reports of abuse;
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Effectively implements the child protection policy document in their parishes and dioceses.
Reference
UCU Center for Child Dignity works to create a culture where the dignity of the child is an absolute value and promotes the formation of a safe environment for children in the fields of education, medicine, and the Church.
The issue of protecting minors was the central theme of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church at the end of 2019. At the same time, the Synod issued a message on the protection of children, minors and vulnerable persons from violence. Eventually, on behalf of the Synod, His Beatitude Sviatoslav appealed to the Ukrainian Catholic University to establish a center for training religious organizations and secular institutions in the protection of minors and vulnerable persons. The center began its work in January 2021.
Through the website of the UCU Center for Child Dignity, you can report cases of violence against minors and vulnerable persons by filling out the appropriate form. You can also use the contact numbers of those responsible for reporting at the diocesan level or a UGCC Bishops’ Synod delegate.
Additionally, you can familiarize yourself with the primary documents governing the UGCC on the abuse of minors, take the course “SAFEGUARDING: Child Safety in the Church Environment,” and conduct safety classes with children using the “Instruction for Child Safety.”
The Center for Child Dignity provides opportunities and resources for anyone working with children in the Church.
The UGCC Department for Information
