It is with deep sorrow that we received the news of the death of Fr. Wiseman Nkomo, a native of Manzini, Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), who was a licentiate student at our Institute from 2022 to 2024.
Fr. Wiseman was widely recognized as a highly dedicated student and was admired by all for his simplicity, integrity, and honesty. He passed away after a battle with cancer.
A young priest of 41 years of age, he came to Rome to pursue studies that would enable him to coordinate the Safeguarding Office of his local Church. He was also the first student of our Institute to take up the challenge of undertaking a Safeguarding internship in Australia.
"By the end of his studies, he had clearly demonstrated an understanding of how crucial education -especially a student-centered and person-centered approach - is for fostering a culture of safeguarding. In his thesis, he carried out a thorough analysis of the safeguarding situation in his diocese, identifying its systemic risk factors and proposing the implementation of an integrated, multidisciplinary training approach that places the individual at its core, so that each person can genuinely feel safe throughout their formative journey", says Dr. Angela Rinaldi, teaching coordinator of the IADC.
The Diocese of Manzini, to which he belonged, published a moving statement in which it recalls the legacy of this devoted priest:
“Remembered for his faith, service and dedication to the Church, Fr. Nkomo touched countless lives through his ministry and compassion. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may strength and comfort be granted to his family, fellow clergy and all who knew him”, says the statement.