For our fifth installment of the HeroCast podcast, we wanted to explore safeguarding through a
fresh perspective. Our guest for this episode is Lea Dobrec, a student at the University of
Ljubljana, Slovenia, and current intern at the IADC. With a background in social pedagogy,
volunteer work, and social engagement, Lea offers an authentic view on how young people
perceive the Church and the challenges women face within it.
The fictional hero chosen for this episode is Captain Marvel, whose story embodies themes of
empowerment, bravery, and resilience. Captain Marvel is an apt metaphor for the conversation’s
focus on how young women can recognize their own strength and reclaim their voice within the
Church.
As opposed to a formal interview, this episode unfolds as a dialogue between Lea and our host,
Dr. Alessandra Campo, who explore how their differences in age, cultural backgrounds, and
experience shape their understanding of the church.
A central theme that emerges from their conversation is the sense of disconnection many young
people feel from the Church as an institution. As Lea points out, there is often a perception that
the Church can be judgmental or hesitant to engage with contemporary issues that matter to
younger generations.
The two women discuss how the core tenants of safeguarding, such as creating safe spaces, open
dialogue, and increased visibility for women, are the same ideals that young people feel can be
absent in the Church. This highlights that safeguarding is not only about protection, but also
about building a culture of trust, inclusion, and belonging.
In addition, the conversation acknowledges that the Church is a global and diverse institution,
and experiences vary widely across communities, cultures, and contexts. While progress has
been made in areas such as visibility, formal policy, and accountability, both women agree that
there is still work to be done to ensure that every person feels safe, welcomed, and heard within
the Church.
To listen to the full episode, tune into HeroCast on Spotify or IADC’s YouTube channel