The Catholic Safeguarding Institute (CSI) of Manila, Founder-President Dr. Gabriel Dy-Liacco and Msgr. Ramon Masculino, CSI’s Director for Ecclesial Relations and Safeguarding Specialist paid a courtesy call to H. Em. Cardinal Sebastian Francis on 10th October 2024 at the Catholic Diocesan Centre, Georgetown, Penang. The Professional Standards Office (PSO Penang) members also attended the dialogue session.
Cardinal Sebastian, in a welcome address, wanted the dialogue session to be challenging and thought provoking, as the PSO Penang is involved in a very important ministry of protecting children and vulnerable persons. Cardinal Sebastian who attended the Global Vatican Summit 2019 in Rome, also stressed the process as ‘Take Responsibility, Have Accountability and Ensure Transparency’.
The PSO Penang Chairperson, Dato’ Domnic Selvam discussed the Diocese Child Protection Manual titled ‘Keeping and Restoring Communion’. The Flowchart of the Complaints received, enquiries conducted, and the findings forwarded to the Bishop of Penang, the time frame and complaint form was explained. Christopher Kushi informed that the PSO Penang has an office at the Diocesan Center for interviewing complainants, witnesses and keeping confidential files while the contact persons for complaints is published to the diocese lay faithful. The PSO is also currently presenting safeguarding of minors and vulnerable persons awareness programs for the parishes, church ministries and lay organizations.
Dr. Gabriel reiterated that as Church we must learn how to recognize a potential pedophile, pay attention to victims, listen to them, understand the impact of child abuse on victims and act when discover cases of abuse. Msgr. Ramon Masculino a specialist in safeguarding spirituality spoke on the need of a theological and personal understanding of safeguarding issues. Regarding the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM) document entitled ‘Universal Guidelines Framework’ dated March 2024, Dr. Gabriel advised that the Cardinal Sebastian and the PSO Team can forward feedback to the PCPM of any localized legal or cultural differences while Msgr. Masculino advised the PSO Penang team to do a checklist of the Universal Guidelines Framework criteria and indicators’ that the Diocese have achieved.
Members also witnessed the solemn taking of the oath of office by Rev. Fr. Martin Arlando (Canon Lawyer), who is now the Bishop’s Delegate in the PSO Committee. Other members of the PSO include Dr. Mary Bharathy (Psychiatrist), Saralla Chettiar (Clinical Psychologist), Agnes Wong (Accountant), Arthur Yeong (Lawyer), Simon Murali (Lawyer), Bernadette Teh (Education Council Delegate), PR Selvarajan (Tamil language) and Jael Tan (Mandarin Language).
Any Safeguarding of Minors and Vulnerable Persons matters in the Diocese of Penang can be communicated via email to martandrews@gmail.com /
kushikostka8@gmail.com or phone to 05-7102220 / 012-4883303.
By Christopher Kushi
