In the heart of Kinshasa, DR Congo, Fr. Didier is a beacon of hope for his community, serving as Rector of the Postulancy and as the Safeguarding delegate of the African Union of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (UAF). Fr. Didier’s initiatives show the transformative nature of his work. His comprehensive prevention plan for the UAF helped to instill awareness and develop policies to create a culture that prioritizes safety within the MSC entity. His work goes beyond his congregation, touching the lives of countless individuals within diocesan structures, and organizing conferences and informative sessions in schools.
However, amidst these initiatives lie challenges: a lack of trained collaborators, cultural complications, and the lack of knowledge surrounding abuse. His culture’s perception of what constitutes sexual abuse does not align with what he was taught in his classes at the IADC, and this reality has resulted in various hurdles along the way to long-term, effective change.
“[Sexual abuse] doesn't shock anyone because it's the reality. It takes time to get people to embrace a new way of looking at things.” - Fr. Didier Mbela
Despite the obstacles he faces, Fr. Didier remains steadfast in his efforts to create environments that prioritize safeguarding vulnerable people and in teaching one another what it means to be responsible adults. In his sacred mission, Fr. Didier stands as a prominent testament to the power of unwavering dedication and collective action in the pursuit of justice.
