On 11 February, the Archdiocese of Sydney’s Safeguarding and Ministerial Integrity Office hosted its first ‘Tea and Talk’ event, welcoming personnel from more than 26 parishes and communities across the archdiocese.
As the archdiocese continues to strengthen its commitment to the protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults, the event offered a powerful space for connection, learning, and hope.
“The intention was to host an informal ‘meet and greet’ that created a safe and welcoming environment, where people could feel connected to the archdiocese, recognise they’re part of a broader mission, and see how they fit within the bigger picture,” said safeguarding director Jennifer Orre.
“Above all, it was an opportunity to connect face-to-face with others across the team and strengthen collaboration.”
Thanks to the sustained efforts of the safeguarding office, a measurable cultural transformation has occurred across the archdiocese.
Parish compliance with safeguarding requirements has risen considerably in the past year, a testament to the hard work and collaboration of the office with parishes and communities.
“Everyone should be making sure our parishes are safe,” said Fr Simon Kitimbo who attended from the Good Shepherd parish in Hoxton Park with his safeguarding officer.
“We’re all in this together. A lot of the time we communicate via emails or phone calls, but it’s good to put faces to the names, to have this physical contact, to learn from each other, share ideas and also encourage and support each other.”
For Agatha Nicol, safeguarding officer at St Joseph’s, Belmore, these moments of gathering are deeply personal and profoundly missionary.
“We’re the ones that are on the front line,” Nicol explained simply when asked about her role at St Joseph’s. “So, it’s good to meet with other parishes, reach out to and find out what they’re doing and what works in their parish.”
Her dedication is born from lived experience as a survivor of abuse within the church. Rather than allowing that suffering to define her, she has allowed God’s grace to transform it into a source of empathy, strength, and service in her current role.
“Having lived through it, you know what it’s like, to heal from all of that and to sit on the other side and to experience God’s love. It makes doing this work so much easier and so much more important,” she explained.
For Nicol, the archdiocesan safeguarding office is a vital partner in her parish ministry.
“They’re very good in terms of support and what they can provide us in terms of resources,” she said.
Orre said the inaugural gathering reflects the office’s commitment to nurturing strong, respectful relationships with the parish and chaplaincy communities it serves.
“It is also an opportunity for parishes to connect with the safeguarding team through a more personal in-person event,” she said.
“Sometimes we think the Safeguarding Office is only there for when we need, when we have trouble,” said Pauline Sahyoun, the pastoral associate at St Luke’s parish in Revesby.
“Just knowing that there’s a team you can call, pick up the phone if it’s a question of clarity, if it’s a question of support, it’s a question of reform or regulation, it’s very important to have that and to have that very clear and open communication.”
