Catholic Diocese of Yendi launches Child and Vulnerable Protection Policy

The Catholic Diocese of Yendi has launched the Yendi Child and Vulnerable Protection Policy, aimed at preventing all forms of abuse of minors and vulnerable adults by the clergy and diocesan personnel in the diocese. The policy also seeks to heighten awareness that any form of abuse and sexual misconduct on minors and the vulnerable is a crime that should be punished.

The St. Rita Centre has been commissioned to house and run activities of the Child and Vulnerable Protection project. With funding support from Kinder mission swerk, a German Catholic Agency, the St. Rita Centre is currently running a two-year child right sensitization program in some basic schools and communities within Yendi diocese.

The Director of the St. Rita Centre, Fr. Gregory Dery, said the centre will take care of activities of children and vulnerable protection, provision of legal assistance to the Yendi diocese, and a conducive environment for prayers and sober reflection on life’s numerous challenges as well as any other assistance to children and the vulnerable.

The St. Rita Centre has assisted the Catholic diocese of Yendi in developing the Child and Vulnerable Protection Policy, organized various seminars for stakeholders on children’s rights issues, formation of Child Protection Clubs in basic schools, rendering various forms of assistance to abused children such as legal assistance to defiled girls and ensuring they remain in school, assistance to the inmates of Yendi prison, and assistance to the rejected and despised persons in society.

For the most part, the St. Rita Centre is not established solely for Catholics but for the benefit of all and sundry in society regardless of a person’s social standing, religion, political, gender, ethnic or other affiliations.

The lack of adequate funds for the effective operation of the Centre is a challenge. Fr. Dery appealed to relevant authorities in society to use their various good offices and give the Centre the needed support and collaboration for the Centre to continue to be the effective voice of the voiceless and help of the helpless.

In a nutshell, child abuse, child trafficking, women being accused of witchcraft, and others have been challenges. The St. Rita Centre will house the Yendi Child and Vulnerable Protection and help children, the vulnerable, and others who may need canonical or civil assistance.

The Paramount Chief of the Kuga Traditional Council, Naa Abdulai II, who was the guest of honour, commended the Yendi diocese for the establishment of the St. Rita Centre, adding that in a protective environment where children’s rights are respected, the world’s most vulnerable children can flourish and reach their highest potential.

In conclusion, parents, chiefs, community leaders have a responsibility for the children who participate in or are admitted in the programs of St. Rita Centre. We must support and teach our children about their rights, equip them with the skills to speak up for themselves and educate their communities about what is and what isn’t acceptable behavior towards children.