By Father Peter Choy Wai-man
This June, the Diocesan Safeguarding Minors and Vulnerable Persons Office—the St. Goretti’s Centre—held a safeguarding seminar for diocesan clergy. The seminar was substantive and thought-provoking, providing participants with a more comprehensive and profound understanding of the Church’s commitment and responsibility for safeguarding. This is particularly urgent and important given the new challenges brought about by the rapid development of artificial intelligence.
One of the key focuses of the seminar was to clarify that the concept of safeguarding should not be confined solely to preventing physical or sexual abuse, but should also encompass the dimension of spiritual safeguarding. This broader understanding is especially crucial for the pastoral work of the Church.
Spiritual safeguarding refers to the necessity of respecting individual conscience and freedom when exercising authority. Spiritual authority must not be used to manipulate another’s conscience or to pressure them into certain spiritual practices, nor should guilt or fear be used to influence their decisions. Furthermore, when providing spiritual direction, appropriate boundaries must be strictly observed to avoid boundary violations. The seminar also noted that, with the increasing prevalence of online religious information and AI-generated spiritual advice, a lack of proper discernment could mislead the faithful. Thus, in the digital age, pastors must respond with greater prudence.
Additionally, the seminar provided a clear explanation of sexual harassment supported by concrete examples. These examples demonstrated that certain behaviours—such as telling sexually suggestive jokes in classrooms or pastoral settings, or using inappropriate language—can be regarded as sexual harassment. This serves as a vital reminder for participants to increase awareness of the boundaries of their speech and behaviour, fostering healthier and more respectful pastoral services.
The legal dimensions and liabilities associated with misconduct were also discussed. Beyond individual accountability, the diocese or related organisations could also face legal liability if an incident occurs within church institutions or pastoral settings. This reminder underscores the necessity for the Church to establish a robust safeguarding system, enhance training and supervision, and ensure that all pastoral work complies with relevant regulations.
Finally, Precious Blood Sister Anne Yau Shuk-yee reminded everyone in her concluding remarks that, as clergy, they must be vigilant with their words, hands, and eyes. This earnest exhortation emphasises that pastoral workers must always practise self-discipline, maintain proper boundaries, and lead by example to live out the spirit of the Gospel.
In conclusion, this seminar deepened the clergy’s understanding of safeguarding the vulnerable. It also served as a powerful reminder for the Church community to collectively build a culture of respect, transparency and accountability, embodying the love and justice of Christ in pastoral ministry.
