Manggarai Diocese Takes Action to Protect Children

"There are many problems here, but most are resolved within the family," said Mikael (44), a religious leader in one of the sub-districts in East Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara. For Mikael, who also serves as an administrator of Justice, Peace and the Integrity Creation (JPIC) in the parish, children's rights need to be respected and fulfilled, especially for children who are survivors of violence. Children need to get justice. He became increasingly aware and motivated to get involved in child protection actions since meeting with WVI in 2019. 

In addition to efforts at the parish level, child protection activities carried out with WVI continue to grow to the institutional level through a partnership with the Pastoral Center (PUSPAS) of the Ruteng Diocese. This partnership is realized with the commitment of PUSPAS Ruteng Diocese to implement the Child-Friendly Church model. Specifically, PUSPAS Ruteng Diocese gives a more contextual title, namely, Paroki Sayang Anak (Child-Friendly Parish). 

The selection of this terminology involved in-depth discussions among the priests in the diocese, both sociologically, pedagogically and theologically. The parish where Mikael serves is one of the parishes in East Manggarai that has declared itself a Paroki Sayang Anak. Currently, two of the three parishes in East Manggarai have made declarations. 

With this movement, Mikael and his colleagues are spearheading various child protection work in the parish. With the motto: "Becoming Pioneers and Reporters," Mikael carries out child protection programs that are integrated with the parish pastoral council's work program. The goal is to create a safe environment for the growth and development of children in the sub-district under the parish's patronage. 

In responding to cases of violence against children, Mikael does not work alone. He collaborates with other Church units, such as schools and monasteries, to carry out various education through preventive socialization, survivor handling and rehabilitation. Mikael also involves professionals, such as child psychologists. 

Manggarai is one of the areas in East Nusa Tenggara that is still strongly patriarchal. The social system there places men as the main holders of power and dominates in various fields. Women and children become second-class citizens. Mikael and his colleagues who have increased their capacity through the Child Protection and Gender Hope Channel workshop, and the Parenting with Love (PDC) training, realize the importance of gender equality starting from the family, especially those closely related to child care. 

They initiated Parent Support Groups (PSG) that regularly meet every month to support families in their parenting patterns. Public interest continues to grow. Initially followed by seven families, now it has grown to 11 families. 

Seeing the strong influence of culture on the lives of people in Manggarai, Mikael hopes to be able to facilitate a dialogue space between the Church and cultural leaders. "In my opinion, the strategic role of cultural leaders is to increase public awareness and mobilization. Their task is not to handle but to continuously educate and mobilize change in society," he said. 

Mikael, who works as a junior high school teacher, plans to increase the capacity of the administrators of the Basic Church Groups (KBG) in the Parish, especially in understanding their strategic role as pioneers and reporters and referral systems. 

Mike provides an important note that the challenges that hinder people from reporting cases of child violence are fear, shame, and reluctance to deal with the law due to limited understanding. Mike is committed to promoting a new perspective before becoming a reporter, namely, becoming an informant. This means that everyone is motivated to inform Mikael and his colleagues who have been entrusted by the Parish of any cases of violence. They will be proactive and handle it according to applicable procedures. Mikael is one of the inspirations for colleagues in other parishes who are currently moving towards Child-Friendly Parishes. 

Author: Natalia M. Nunuhitu (Faith and Development Manager) 
Editor: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)