The Catholic Diocese of Bomadi is committed to making every parish, school, chaplaincy and diocesan activity a safe place for children, young people and vulnerable adults. Abuse of any kind is a grave sin and a crime. It is never tolerated in the Church.
Our commitments
- Listening and responding. Every concern or allegation is taken seriously, treated in confidence and acted on promptly.
- Putting victims first. We offer care and pastoral support to anyone who has been harmed, and to their families.
- Cooperating with the authorities. The Diocese follows the law of the Church, including Pope Francis’s *Vos estis lux mundi*, and cooperates fully with the civil authorities and the laws of Nigeria.
- Safe recruitment. Clergy, religious, catechists, teachers, staff and volunteers who work with children or vulnerable adults are carefully selected.
- Training. Those who work with children and vulnerable adults are trained to recognise and report abuse.
- Codes of conduct. Clear rules guide everyone who ministers in the name of the Church, including never being alone with a child in a private place and appropriate use of phones and social media.
How to report a concern
If a child or adult is in immediate danger, call the police or the national emergency number 112.
To report abuse or a concern involving any priest, religious, catechist, employee or volunteer of the Diocese, or to raise a concern about how a case has been handled:
- Contact the Chancery of the Diocese. See Contacts.
- You may also speak in confidence to any parish priest, who must pass the concern on to the Diocese.
- You may report directly to the police or other civil authorities at any time. You do not need the Church’s permission to do so.
Reports may be made by the person affected, a family member or anyone else with a concern, whether the matter is recent or happened long ago.
Support for survivors
Anyone who has been hurt by a member of the Church can ask the Diocese for support, including counselling and pastoral accompaniment, whatever the outcome of any investigation.
A prayer for survivors
God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong, always present, always just: heal and protect all who have suffered abuse, and give us the courage to keep our communities safe. Amen.
Image: Lucas Cranach the Elder, Christ Blessing the Children. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.