‘Sacred spaces’: Restoring safety and trust in faith communities

This plenary address explores the critical challenges faced by faith communities when engaging with younger generations, in light of declining institutional trust, prevalent sexual abuse, and the Church’s response to these issues. Drawing on over two decades of experience serving among sexually exploited persons in Bolivia through Project Suma, the address highlights the disconnection between the Church and the vulnerable. Emphasizing the need for humility, integrity, and authenticity in Christian leadership, the address advocates for a return to Kingdom values as a means of restoring safety, trust, and relevance within faith communities. By examining the barriers to church engagement and proposing actionable steps, the address seeks to inspire a vision where youth are actively involved in and contribute to the thriving of the Church.