Piedmont is there. Launched over two years ago, the work of the regional service for the protection of minors was concentrated with the seminar held from Thursday 30 June to Saturday 2 July in Altavilla d’Alba, in the diocese’s house of spirituality. The work was led by Fr Gottfried Ugolini, of the CEI National Service. The seminar was attended by 25 people from 12 of the 17 Piedmontese dioceses (others, who also regularly follow the work, were unable to attend). They are the referents and future operators of the listening centers who, following the criteria indicated by the Holy See and the Italian Church, are preparing to establish the network of “presence” on the regional territory.
The seminar addressed all the various aspects of the Service’s competences: abuses and their consequences; the procedures for listening to victims and complainants; the method and the “rules” of work in the listening centers; indications for prevention. As we know, the subject that touches the Service is complex, with numerous articulations and difficulties, precisely because in each step it is not only a question of dealing with delicate situations but also of dealing directly with abused people and with everyone – family members, schoolmates and group, etc. – they remained involved in the events.
In the Piedmontese group of people who have made themselves available there are psychologists and lawyers, jurists, men and women religious and experienced priests, parents and teachers: basic skills are therefore guaranteed, and the preparation time of the last two years has served to improve mutual knowledge (even if almost all the meetings took place online, due to the contagion). The Service is ready to go. In recent months the bishops of the subalpine dioceses have had direct contact with their “representatives” in the Service, and Marco Brunetti, bishop of Alba, has maintained the connection between the various realities involved, assisted by Fr Alessandro Giraudo, former chancellor of Turin and since September the new vicar general of the archdiocese, who is the coordinator of the regional service.
Commenting on the work of the two days of Altavilla, Msgr. Brunetti said: “In these days of advanced training we have seen firsthand that the regional service for the protection of minors and vulnerable people is a fact, present throughout the region including Valle D’Aosta, with high-profile contacts and professionals. . The protection of minors must become a priority and transversal attention in the pastoral action of our Churches, networking with all the territorial and institutional realities that deal with minors and fragile people. Our action aims at prevention and training so that we can avoid any kind of abuse of power, conscience and sexuality, especially in our environments. The premises are all there ».
In Piedmont, from the establishment of the Service to date, there have been no reports of abuses or other related problems. This is also why it will be particularly important to establish a widespread network in the area that can carry out that work of information and prevention that helps to root in communities (as in families) that “culture of respect” which is the foundation of serene and constructive social coexistence.
Protection of minors, the regional service – La Fidelity is operational