When did the Safeguarding Course at the Gregorian University begin and end?
It began on October 01, 2025 and ended on February 06, 2026
What is the complete, official title of the program you attended?
Diploma in Safeguarding
Who is the official organizer of this program?
Institute of Anthropology Pontifical Gregorian University and the program coordinator is Fr. Hans Zollner SJ
Given your background from Timor, what motivated you to join this course, and what outcomes were you hoping for?
First of all, because of my ministry background as a human rights worker through VIVAT International Indonesia Mission, I mostly worked with marginalized people—namely women, children, and the poor. In general, the SSpS mission in Indonesia, especially in Timor Province, works with vulnerable groups such as children, women, and victims through schools, dormitories, pastoral ministry/care, and social workers (JPIC, Women and Children Care Forum-FPPA). I was hoping safeguarding would help me and the sisters in Indonesia better protect vulnerable people, especially women, children, and the poor. I wanted to strengthen my ability to recognize risks, respond appropriately to concerns, and ensure safe environments in our ministries. Ultimately, the goal was to promote dignity, safety, and a strong culture of care and protection
How many participants attended? Was it inter-congregational? Coming from what continents? Did it include lay, religious, and clergy? What was the gender (male and female) balance?
At the beginning we were 18 participants, but due to visa problems, only 15 remained until the course finished. Participants came from four continents: Asia, Africa, America, and Europe. The group included 3 lay persons, 7 religious (2 brothers and 5 sisters), and 5 clergy. The gender balance: 2 brothers (male), 5 sisters (female), 5 clergy (presumably male), and 3 lay persons.
Which specific module or topic had the most significant effect on you personally, and what made it so powerful?
For me, student-centered learning was the most significant module because this method emphasizes participants’ direct involvement through discussion, sharing experiences, case studies, personal and group work, and presentations, so that participants truly know and understand the material.
⃣⃣Was the course in-person or online? What methods were used?
The following methods were used:
The following methods were used: speakers giving input (lectures, keynote addresses, expert panels); group dynamics (team-building exercises, role-plays, simulated scenarios); research and reporting (individual or group research projects, case study analysis, presentations); retreats and reflective days (silent retreat, guided prayer, spiritual accompaniment sessions); small group discussions and peer sharing (participants share experiences from their own congregations or countries); workshops (practical training on listening protocols, documentation, reporting procedures); self-assessment and personal development plans (participants map their learning to their future role); Q&A sessions with survivors (direct testimony from abuse survivors, handled with care protocols); simulation exercises (mock canonical trial, mock formation interview, mock safeguarding complaint process); reading and document review (analysis of Church documents, UISG guidelines, safeguarding manuals); online synchronous sessions (if hybrid: Zoom lectures, breakout rooms, virtual whiteboards); and journaling and reflective writing (daily learning logs, guided prompts for personal integration).
Would you recommend this program/ course to other formators?
Yes, I highly recommend this program to other formators. Because every SSpS member needs safeguarding to protect ourselves and to protect the vulnerable ones in our missions or institutions, so that each SSpS member is protected from perpetrators of violence in various forms.
What is the most important change you believe this course will bring to your safeguarding work back in Timor?
The most important change this course will bring to my safeguarding work back in Timor is that I am now aware that everyone is vulnerable to being either a victim or a perpetrator, so I must always be aware of my own strengths and weaknesses and not misuse them. I am also aware that in religious life and in the institutes that belong to the Church or religious organizations, there are acts of violence—both physical and mental. It is time for us (the Church and religious communities) to be more careful with our words and actions so as not to hurt our members and the people we serve in our apostolate and mission.
Sr. Genobeba Da Costa Amaral, SSpS
Timor Province
