8 April 2026
Online
12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
(Eastern Time – Ottawa, Canada)
Safeguarding within the Catholic Church has been a critical area of focus, particularly in light of numerous high-profile cases of sexual abuse and subsequent inquiries in a variety of countries. The Church has made significant strides in implementing safeguarding measures to protect children (Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, 2024). Consecrated women in Africa play a decisive role in evangelization and safeguarding. They are at the forefront of spiritual leadership, education, healthcare and social ministry, offering these services with competence to all whom they minister. Their commitment to service often extends to the marginalized and vulnerable populations. Sometimes this places the Consecrated women in vulnerable situations. Ondeng (2024) notes that abuse of women religious in Africa is multifaceted and sometimes its features are complex to understand. The most common forms of abuse reported in women religious may be classified as: sexual, physical, spiritual discriminatory, emotional abuses and neglect. The absence of structured safeguarding mechanisms further worsens the situation. Many sisters lack the necessary formation to identify and respond to safeguarding threats, and their access to legal recourse- both canon and civil law- is often limited. Capacity building initiatives, counseling, psychiatric and tailored spiritual accompaniment remain insufficient, leaving sisters unprepared to navigate safeguarding issues effectively.
Sr. Dr. Jacinta Ondeng, a member of the International Congregation of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND), was born and raised in western Kenya. Sr. Ondeng holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a PhD in Counseling Psychology from Kenyatta University, as well as an MA in Counseling Psychology from the United States International University (USIU)–Africa. Sr. Ondeng has extensive experience in education, having taught at the high school level, in teacher training colleges, and at Tangaza University, a Catholic institution of higher learning. In 2019, Sr. Ondeng completed safeguarding training at the Centre for Child Protection (now the Institute of Anthropology) at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. At Tangaza University, Sr. Ondeng developed a safeguarding course for theology students from over 30 religious congregations. In 2023, Sr. Ondeng founded the Safeguarding Initiative, funded by Missio Aachen and the Conrad Hilton Foundation, promoting awareness and prevention of abuse across Church communities in Kenya and beyond. Sr. Ondeng also serves on the International Safeguarding Committee in Rome, contributing an African perspective to global safeguarding efforts.
Contact us: cpcs@ustpaul.ca
