A Call for Safer Ministry Practices in Our Churches

I grew up in the church. Within days of being born, my parents bundled up my brother and me and brought us to Sunday services. I was raised under the tender, loving care of nursery workers and Sunday School teachers—those who cradled me, changed my diapers, read me Bible stories, introduced me to Jesus, celebrated my baptism, and later, attended my wedding.

At 13, I volunteered in the nursery and began teaching the two- and three-year-old Sunday School class. For the next five decades, I taught almost every Sunday—celebrating 50 years of children’s ministry. Back then, no one asked for a criminal record check or references. I attended many training meetings, but I can’t recall ever hearing about child protection or safeguarding.

Still, most of my teachers were remarkable. They offered loving and protective care, and I am deeply grateful for their example. However, the need for safeguarding was still very real.

I remember hearing hushed conversations about inappropriate behavior. I remember children going missing or being bullied. These were warning signs that, even if ignored or downplayed at the time, should have led to stronger safety measures.

This week, I’ve taken time to reflect on what makes someone a strong advocate and effective leader in safeguarding the vulnerable.

In the news, Pope Leo XIV reinforced his commitment to combatting clergy sexual abuse by appointing Bishop Thibault Verny of France to lead the Vatican’s child protection advisory commission. Bishop Verny succeeds...

In response to this recent case, our Chair and Sr. Safeguarding Consultant, Dr. Melodie Bissell, shared these reflections:

“As schools break for the summer, we know that the majority of teachers are wonderful, caring and inspiring leaders in their classrooms. However, too often we read stories like this in the news of an educator who has put children at risk and has caused physical and emotional harm. We need good teachers and parents to stand in the gap for students.

The best approach to raising the bar on safety in our schools is education. Teachers, Administrators and Parents need to become lifelong learners in spotting and addressing child abuse. It is not enough to take training during your university years, or when you first begin to teach. Safeguarding training must be reviewed on an annual basis, applying the knowledge of awareness, prevention and reporting and responding to child abuse against real-life case studies that are surfacing in the news.

It takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to stand up and give voice to children that are confined and silenced.”

The sport sector is facing a crisis of trust. In recent years, the headlines have exposed what many survivors have known for decades — abuse, misconduct, and cover-ups have been far too common in sport.

From grassroots clubs to national teams, athletes have reported emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, often at the hands of those in positions of power. The consequences are devastating — to victims, to organizations, and to the public’s trust.

At Plan to Protect®, we believe it’s time to raise the bar on safeguarding in sport. We equip sport organizations with the tools, training, and policies they need to build safer programs, protect participants, and earn the trust of families. Over the last three years we have had the privilege of working with the sports sector to raise the bard on safeguarding.

Despite policy reforms, elder care facilities continue to face serious systemic challenges that can directly impact the health, safety, and overall well-being of seniors. Understanding these issues is essential for families who want to advocate for better care.

We truly believe that the majority of staff members and volunteers are remarkable — they show up with servant hearts, ready to help, encourage, and love those around them. These people create safe, welcoming environments in our churches, schools, camps, and organizations. But even in the best communities, it’s possible for someone unsafe to slip in unnoticed. That’s why we need each of us — every amazing volunteer and staff member — to not only be safe themselves, and to care for the vulnerable, but to be alert for those who may be unsafe.

Caregiver burnout occurs when the physical, emotional, and financial demands of caregiving become overwhelming. Key risk factors include:

• Lack of financial resources for senior care

• Limited access to respite care or elder support services

• Unaddressed caregiver mental health challenges, such as anxiety or depression

• Strained family relationships and conflict over long-term care decisions

• Lack of proper eldercare training for informal caregivers

In recent years, the Canadian Church has come under increased scrutiny regarding its response to allegations of child abuse and clergy sexual misconduct. These incidents are not only morally reprehensible and spiritually devastating—they also carry serious legal and financial implications. Churches are entrusted with the care of the most vulnerable among us. To honour that trust and walk in obedience to Christ, it is imperative that churches in Canada implement strong safeguarding protocols.

A Sobering Case Study

Consider the case of Father Brian Boucher in Montréal, Québec. In 2019, Boucher was sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually abusing boys over a span of 20 years. Reports indicated that concerns had been raised to church authorities on multiple occasions, but no decisive action was taken until many years later. The case not only highlighted failures in internal accountability but also underscored the lifelong trauma victims suffer. Civil lawsuits followed, and the Church’s credibility was severely damaged. This is just one of many examples where the absence of proper safeguards allowed abuse to persist unchecked.

Summer camp (either day camps or residential camps) has long been celebrated as a highlight of childhood. For many, it’s a place of laughter, deep friendships, personal growth, and learning new skills... But for others, it’s a place where painful memories were born—often in the absence of proper protections. As we reflect on two very different camp experiences, we are reminded of the sacred responsibility we carry to protect children and youth.

Megan is a full-time remote worker caring for her mother, Esther, who has early-onset dementia. Esther is mobile but often confused, demanding attention throughout the day. With Megan’s husband, Josh, working long hours as an electrician, Megan manages the entire caregiving responsibility often alone. Worried about elder fraud and security, Megan rarely leaves Esther alone. Meanwhile, she juggles responsibilities with her adult children and grandchildren, further stretching her emotional and physical limits.

Over time, stress builds—Megan struggles to sleep, loses patience, and begins forgetting essential tasks, including Esther’s medication schedule. One evening, overwhelmed, Megan snaps at her mother, shocking herself. This moment of frustration makes her realize that caregiver burnout is real, and if she doesn’t seek support, her own well-being and Esther’s safety are at risk.