Thursday, January 24, 2013

New Diocesan Safeguarding Committee formed in Dublin

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has expressed his gratitude to the members of the new Diocesan Safeguarding Committee in Archdiocese of Dublin.  

Speaking at an event in Clonliffe College on 19th January, Archbishop Martin stated - "I am grateful to you for the commitment that you have already shown over the years in your parishes and in other areas of diocesan life in contributing to building-up and consolidating the child safeguarding structures within the diocese."

"These past years have been at times very difficult as we faced the unveiling of something dreadful that took place over decades in the Church of Jesus Christ.  These years have been even more difficult for survivors, many of whom have not yet reached healing.   Indeed there are many who today bear within the own hearts a hurt that they still feel unable to share."

Archbishop Martin reflected how a process of "regeneration" has been on-going in recent years which has involved priests and people.

"Priests, in the face of what was for them a tragic situation in which their very vocation seemed to be blamed for the sins of a few, responded with commitment and dedication and selflessness to addressing the challenges of the time."

"What has emerged above all is how lay men and women like yourselves responded with commitment and dedication to an urgent need of what is your Church.  I am grateful to the Lord for the way in which so many lay men and women in our parishes took up the task of addressing and redressing dramatic situations for which they themselves bore no responsibility.  You did this as a sign of your dedication to your Church and indeed also a sign of your respect and love of your priests."

In looking to the future, Archbishop Martin warned that while progress has been made, with the help of the National Board for Safeguarding of Children that complacency has to be avoided and asked all those involved to be "brutally honest".

"Child safeguarding is not yesterday’s issue but one which belongs to our today and to our tomorrow.  It is not just about the negative shadows which have darkened and damaged our Church.  It is really about how we as Catholic Christians respect the lives of the youngest and the most vulnerable.  Child safeguarding is a truly pro-life witness.  It is about a fundamental vision of the Christian life, about a Jesus who reminded all of us that children are a sign of the kingdom of God and that therefore our attitude to children tells us a lot about our understanding of the kingdom of God."