Seminarian training kicks off in Nigeria to combat sexual and gender-based violence

The Catholic Church in Nigeria has begun training seminarians to identify, prevent, and respond to sexual and gender-based violence. The three-day training program, titled Training and Capacity Building on the Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, has reached more than 260 seminarians at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Makurdi, Benue State.

Father Michael Banjo, secretary general of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), said the training prepares future priests to protect people from abuse, educate the faithful, and promote a culture where violence is not tolerated or concealed. He noted that the prevalence of sexual and other forms of violence in Nigeria requires efforts to ensure respect for the dignity of every person, especially the vulnerable.

The program aims to help future priests recognize various forms of abuse and support survivors through their pastoral ministry.