The Right Reverend Rose Okeno, Bishop of the ACK Diocese of Butere, is advocating for the church to provide a safe haven for individuals who have experienced abuse, allowing them to feel God’s love without fear of judgment. She emphasized the importance of the church transforming into a place of healing in a world that is suffering and in need of solutions.
During the Anglican Provinces in East Africa Safe Church Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya from 1st to 4th May, Bishop Rose Okeno highlighted that safeguarding is not an attack on the church, but rather a fulfillment of its mission. The event, hosted by the Anglican Church of Kenya and organized by the Anglican Development Services (ADS), was led by Executive Director Bwibo Adieri, who serves as the Kenya Provincial Representative to the Safe Church Commission.
The conference, themed “Breaking the Silence: Restoring Dignity”, drew bishops, clergy, and laity from various East African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan. The gathering featured local experts, survivor testimonies, and panel discussions, all inspired by Proverbs 31:8-9, which urges individuals to speak up for those who cannot advocate for themselves and defend the rights of the vulnerable.