By Fr. Vince Michael Sabal, SDB
Don Bosco Formation Center-Lawaan, Cebu, 23 October 2023 - Last October 20, 2023, the Salesians gathered at Don Bosco Formation Center-Lawaan for an ongoing formation on Safeguarding the Vulnerable. The ongoing formation was for the quinquennial and midlife-age Salesians. The morning was facilitated by Fr. Amelito Racelis, SDB (FIS Vice-Provincial) on the Pastoral Perspectives in safeguarding the youth and vulnerable adults. After the talk, the Salesians were given opportunities to share their insights and reflections. In the afternoon, a Legal Perspective on the said topic was given by Atty. Idris Clarissa Banaybanay. She discussed pertinent laws that can guide us as we do our ministry with young people. Then a Canonical Perspective was presented by Fr. Regino Carlo Godinez, SDB (FIS Provincial Secretary) who gave us some updates on the Canon Law and other Church Documents as regards some issues connected to safeguarding our young people as priests and religious. After the formative inputs, the day ended with recreation, praying the Vespers and Rosary, and a fellowship dinner together with the DBFC Formands.
This year’s ongoing formation activity is a good opportunity for us to be informed about certain perspectives in being with the young people under our care. This is a timely encouragement for us to apply the Preventive System of Don Bosco in our various ministries. The fellowship also gave us a chance to bond and take time to be with our confreres and get to know our formands in the Formation Center.
