31 May – 2 June 2026
The Annual Meeting of the Grievance Redressal Cell (GRC) of the Conference of Religious Women India (CRWI) was held from 31 May to 2 June 2026. The gathering brought together GRC members, SRWI collaborators, advisory members, safeguarding resource persons, and religious leaders from across India for three days of reflection, dialogue, evaluation, and planning.
The meeting focused on strengthening safeguarding initiatives within religious life, deepening systems of accountability, and envisioning safer, more compassionate, and more transparent communities rooted in Gospel values and human dignity.
Day One – 31 May 2026
Reflection, Review, and Visioning for the Future
The first day of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing the present realities of safeguarding and grievance redressal within the Church and envisioning the future direction of the GRC and safeguarding initiatives.
Session 1: A Commentary on Grievance Redressal Mechanisms and Fostering Safe Communities
Presenter: Mrs. Anita Cheria
The opening session by Mrs. Anita Cheria provided a critical reflection on the role and effectiveness of grievance redressal mechanisms within religious communities, with particular focus on the GRC established by CRWI.
Drawing from research, stakeholder engagement, and field experience, Anita reflected on the origins of the GRC and the urgent need for safe, external structures where women religious can seek accompaniment, support, and justice. She recalled that the GRC emerged in response to repeated conversations regarding abuse, silence, exclusion, and the absence of effective systems of redress within ecclesial spaces.
The presentation also reflected on wider concerns raised through reports of unexplained deaths and suicides among religious, as well as findings from the CRWI study “High Time: Women Religious Speak Up on Gender Justice in the Indian Church.”
Participants were introduced to the vision, structure, and outreach of the GRC. Anita explained that the GRC was established as a confidential and independent mechanism to respond to grievances related to abuse of power, sexual abuse, discrimination, denial of rights, safeguarding concerns, and other issues affecting religious life.
The session highlighted the extensive outreach carried out through safeguarding seminars, sensitization programmes, Training of Trainers initiatives, and awareness campaigns across India.
A critical review of the GRC’s functioning was also presented. Participants reflected on:
- Patriarchal structures and cultures of silence
- Fear of retaliation and victimization
- Lack of trust in reporting mechanisms
- Communication gaps and unclear structures
- The need for stronger accompaniment systems
- Survivor-centered approaches to justice and healing
The presentation emphasized that safeguarding must move beyond compliance-driven systems and evolve into a culture of dialogue, synodality, accountability, and dignity.
Session 2: Envisioning the GRC as Part of CRWI Safeguarding Initiatives
Presenter: Sr. Mary Scaria SCJM
Sr. Mary Scaria presented a comprehensive vision for integrating the Grievance Redressal Cell into the broader safeguarding framework of CRWI.
She emphasized that safeguarding is not limited to prevention programmes or awareness sessions but requires responsive systems that include reporting mechanisms, accompaniment, follow-up, healing, and institutional accountability.
The session highlighted the core principles guiding the envisioned GRC structure:
- Confidentiality
- Accessibility
- Compassion
- Timeliness
- Impartiality
- Non-retaliation
- Survivor-centered response
Sr. Mary proposed a structure that included:
- A National Coordinator
- Regional focal persons
- A core coordination team
- Confidential complaint systems
- Referral and follow-up protocols
- Periodic review and documentation systems
Participants reflected on the need for:
- Regional safeguarding structures
- Digital reporting systems and helplines
- Capacity-building initiatives
- Stronger networking among congregations
- Long-term safeguarding and rehabilitation support
The session also stressed the importance of creating a “culture of care” rooted in justice, dignity, equality, and mutual respect.
Session 3: Effectiveness of the GRC and the Need to Preserve It
Presenter: Sr. Rushila Rebello
Sr. Rushila Rebello reflected on the strengths, effectiveness, and future sustainability of the GRC as a safe and trusted mechanism for women religious.
She emphasized that one of the greatest strengths of the GRC is its position outside the immediate hierarchy of the complainant and respondent, enabling sisters to seek support without fear of retaliation, exclusion, or emotional rejection.
The session highlighted the GRC’s emphasis on:
- Accompaniment and mediation
- Compassion balanced with justice
- Confidentiality and dignity
- Transparency and accountability
- Whistleblower protection
- Anti-victimization safeguards
- Prevention through awareness and training
Participants reflected on the need to preserve and strengthen the integrity of the GRC through:
- Mandatory safeguarding training
- Awareness programmes for congregations and formation houses
- Legal support systems
- Learning Management Systems (LMS)
- Stronger institutional accountability
- Strategic planning and measurable outcomes
The session concluded with a call to strengthen systems that protect dignity, foster trust, and create safer religious environments.
Day Two – 1 June 2026
Safeguarding as Spirituality and Mission
A major highlight of the meeting was the keynote session by internationally recognized safeguarding expert Fr. Hans Zollner SJ.
Session: Formation – The Current Safeguarding Situation Worldwide and its Specific Implications for Religious Life
Presenter: Fr. Hans Zollner SJ
Fr. Hans reflected on the global safeguarding realities within the Church and their implications for religious life and formation.
He emphasized that safeguarding is not an additional task but an integral dimension of Christian spirituality, discipleship, and mission. Rooted in the Gospel and in the dignity of every human person, safeguarding calls the Church to become a place of listening, healing, accountability, and compassion.
The session explored:
- The worldwide safeguarding context within the Church
- The importance of human formation and psychosexual maturity
- Safe spaces, safe structures, safe relationships, and safe processes
- Emotional, psychological, spiritual, and abuse of power
- Safeguarding fatigue and the importance of self-care
- Transparency, accountability, and intercultural sensitivity
Fr. Hans highlighted the need to integrate safeguarding into:
- Spirituality
- Formation
- Leadership
- Community life
- Daily ministry
He reminded participants that safeguarding is fundamentally about recognizing the image of God in every person, especially the vulnerable and wounded.
Participants also reflected on the importance of:
- Compassionate listening
- Accompaniment of survivors
- Trust-building within communities
- Human formation as the cornerstone of religious formation
- Creating communities where individuals can flourish safely and with dignity
Day Three – 2 June 2026
Meetings, Deliberations, and Way Forward
The final day of the Annual GRC Meeting focused on internal meetings, consultations, and planning for the future direction of safeguarding initiatives.
Participants engaged in discussions on:
- GRC structures and coordination
- Roles and responsibilities
- Communication and documentation systems
- Regional safeguarding mechanisms
- Sustainability and resource development
- Reporting structures and accountability
- Capacity-building initiatives
- Strengthening collaboration between GRC, SRWI, and regional units
Members collectively emphasized the need for:
- Stronger regional coordination
- Clearer mandates and communication systems
- Better follow-up and monitoring mechanisms
- Sustainable safeguarding ecosystems across India
The meetings also reaffirmed the importance of collaboration, dialogue, transparency, and shared responsibility in building safer communities within religious life.
Conclusion
The Annual GRC Meeting 2026 became a significant moment of reflection, renewal, and commitment for CRWI and its safeguarding initiatives.
Across the three days, participants collectively reaffirmed that safeguarding is not merely a policy requirement or institutional obligation, but a Gospel-centered mission rooted in justice, dignity, accountability, healing, and care.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to building communities where every person especially the vulnerable, wounded, and unheard can experience safety, dignity, accompaniment, and hope.