Anglican Safe Church and Leadership Conference 2024

Leading Safer Churches: Power and Vulnerability in Church Life

In September 2024, Anglican leaders from across Africa and beyond gathered in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, for the Leading Safer Churches conference, an event aimed at fostering a culture of safety and respect across Anglican churches. Hosted by The Church of the Province of Central Africa and organised by the Anglican Communion's International Safe Church Commission, the conference marked a pivotal moment for building safer church communities globally. 

Mandy Marshall, Director for Gender Justice at the Anglican Alliance and Anglican Communion Office, reflected on the importance of the gathering: 

“Gathering Safe Church Provincial Representatives, Bishops from across Africa and the Province of Central Africa for the first time to discussing safe church matters together was a key moment and marker for accelerating safeguarding in our churches globally. Those present were able to share learning, information and encouragement on going about making our churches safer. Participants appreciated the opportunity to be together and be a part of a global community working together to ensure the safety of all in our churches. This important conference helps springboard forward safeguarding and supports keeping a survivor-centered approach in our churches.” 

Conference Impact

The conference has already begun to have a far-reaching impact: 

• Bishop Shouhrab of Bangladesh hosted two one-day safeguarding training sessions in his diocese, sharing the knowledge gained at the conference.
• Bishop Dibo of Cameroon led a safeguarding session at his diocesan synod, raising awareness of the importance of safeguarding across his diocese.
• The Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) introduced new codes of conduct at their synod as a direct outcome of the conference. 

Conference Outcomes

Several key outcomes emerged from the week-long event:

• Provincial Representatives and dioceses strategised on how to implement safeguarding initiatives in their own contexts.
• Attendees built lasting relationships, with Provincial Representatives meeting face-to-face for the first time and establishing communication channels to continue sharing learning and understanding.
• The realisation that abuse can happen to anyone was a powerful takeaway, particularly after hearing survivors share their stories during the conference.
• A formal conference report is in development and will provide further insights and recommendations. 

A Collaborative Effort for Safeguarding

Organised in partnership with the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA), the conference received significant support from the Episcopal Ministry team of the Anglican Communion Office. Bishops and their spouses benefited from additional development days, focusing on leadership, listening skills, and building trust within their communities. 

The Right Reverend Jo Bailey Wells, Deputy Secretary General of the Anglican Communion and Bishop for Episcopal Ministry, praised the conference's collaborative nature:

"The role that church leaders play in modelling and implementing safeguarding practices cannot be underestimated. This gathering provided an invaluable opportunity for bishops to learn from one another, deepen their leadership skills, and strengthen their commitment to creating safe church environments." 

The conference stands as a crucial milestone in the ongoing effort to ensure that all Anglican churches are safe, welcoming spaces where every person is treated with respect, care, and dignity.

Download the 2024 conference report.

Read news about the event on the Anglican Communion News Service website.

Download Safe Church Guidelines and Resources