SAFEGUARDING MINORS AND VULNERABLE ADULTS IN THE NIGERIAN CHURCH: CANONICAL AND LEGAL PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

This paper explores the complex issue of sexual abuse with particular focus on the Nigerian Church, integrating canonical, theological, and legal perspectives to propose a comprehensive safeguarding framework. Drawing on foundational Church documents such as Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela and Vos Estis Lux Mundi, as well as Nigerian statutes like the Child Rights Act (2003) and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015), the study examines the intersection of ecclesiastical and civil accountability in addressing abuse. Biblical principles, such as those found in Isaiah 1:17 and Matthew 18:6, provide the moral foundation for the Church's mandate to protect the vulnerable, while Canon Law underscores the imperative for transparency and justice. The paper critically evaluates forms of abuse – sexual, emotional, psychological, and neglect – highlighting their profound impacts on victims and the Church's moral credibility. It also addresses systemic challenges, including cultural stigmas, resource limitations, and enforcement gaps, which undermine the effectiveness of existing safeguards. The study proposes actionable recommendations, including collaboration between Church and civil authorities, investment in theological education, mechanisms for addressing historical abuse cases, and the implementation of cultural re-education initiatives. This new vista that integrates transparency, accountability, and care, gives the Church a platform to fulfill its dual mission of pastoral healing and moral leadership. In this way, this interdisciplinary approach affirms the Church's commitment to justice and underscores the urgency ofsafeguarding the dignity and rights of all individuals.