On behalf of the Diocese of Down and Connor, I publish today the
review of safeguarding in the Diocese of Down and Connor which was
undertaken from 9th-10th and 22nd-23rd May 2013 by the National Board
for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland.
I
am grateful to the specialised members of the National Board and the
National Office of Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church, led now
by Ms Teresa Devlin and previously by Mr Ian Elliott, for conducting
this review, for their guidance and recommendations which will be acted
upon.
As I publish this Report, my thoughts and prayers are firstly with
victims of child abuse and their families. They have experienced much
suffering and pain and the church will always bear this wound. I pledge
to continue to put all resources in place to help and support victims.
As I have in the past, I offer my unreserved apology for the pain of
child abuse carried out by some clergy within this diocese and for the
failure of the church when dealing with those so wrongfully hurt.
The National Board review, published today, clearly illustrates ‘the
very successful and effective investment of time and resources by the
Diocese of Down and Connor in its Child Safeguarding services over the
past five years’ and reports that the ‘review of the case material
indicates that current practice places emphasis on a timely reporting of
the concerning information to the PSNI and to the relevant HSC Trust’.
This report also finds that all concerns/allegations reviewed have been
properly managed by the Diocese of Down and Connor.
In compliance with Standard 7 of the ‘Standards and Guidance’
document (NBSCCCI), and with a firm commitment to reviewing and
enhancing the Safeguarding policy and procedures in this diocese in an
open and accountable manner, I have already commissioned two previous
Independent Reviews into our safeguarding structures and procedures and
published these in October 2011 and November 2013. Along with these
other reviews, I welcome this National Board audit both for its
commendation of the Diocese’s safeguarding policy and procedures and for
its recommendations.
I am encouraged, and I hope that all those who take the opportunity to read the review, (www.downandconnor.org)
will be reassured and take confidence in the overall endorsement of the
current diocesan policies and procedures and established best practice.
This review confirms that when people come forward today that they will
be listened to and action will be taken promptly in conjunction with
the relevant statutory authorities.
Sadly for survivors, this
improvement has come far too late. But I am encouraged for the
safeguarding team of dedicated personnel and for the hundreds of
volunteers in parishes throughout the diocese; this Report bears
testimony to their committed service to the care of children and to the
Church.
The National Board review examined case files from 1st January 1975
to May 2013 and interviewed key personnel to assess safeguarding
practices against seven national standards and 48 criteria. I am also
heartened that the reviewers assessed that the diocese’s compliance with
the 48 criteria that make up the seven Standards are fully met in 46 of
these. The two outstanding criteria refer to: support for and
monitoring of priests who have abused and a written plan of action on
implementing and monitoring standards.
Everyone in the Church, bishops, priests and laity, shares in the
responsibility to continually scrutinise and challenge the current
processes in the pursuit of better and safer practice. Safeguarding is a
responsibility for all. This shared responsibility will ensure not only
the protection of children but the rights of those victims who come
forward to tell their stories.
My overriding concern as Bishop of Down and Connor is and will
continue to be the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults in the
diocese. In Church and society the hurt and destruction wrought by the
abuse of children and vulnerable adults continues to cry out for
unflinching commitment to the pursuit of safeguarding and the growth of a
culture of vigilance. My fervent hope is that the work of the diocese’s
Safeguarding Office and volunteers will ensure that the inadequate
response of the past will become a thing of the past.
I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to all who are
involved in the vital work of Safeguarding in this Diocese; the
Diocesan Safeguarding Office, and to the many volunteers for the
contribution they made in meeting with the National Board reviewers and
providing relevant and helpful evidence of their work, views and
opinions. I wish to acknowledge my gratitude for their ongoing
commitment and dedication in service of the Church and our young people.
Notwithstanding the encouraging recognition within this Report of
significant progress in policy and procedures for safeguarding in the
Diocese of Down and Connor, this is also an opportunity to learn from
the past in order to build upon and enhance these present structures.
The prevalence of abuse across society means that we must be ever
vigilant and attentive to the paramouncy of child safety. There are
ongoing challenges for us as a Church and for the statutory authorities
as we address these issues together into the future. There will be
constant need for revision and reappraisal in the field of safeguarding.
In welcoming the publication of this review, I once again reaffirm my
commitment to do all I can to make the Diocese of Down and Connor a safe
environment for all.
The Diocesan Policy and Procedures advise anyone who may have a
concern of a safeguarding nature to contact either the PSNI, Social
Services, or the Diocesan Designated Safeguarding Officer (Telephone:
028 90492783).
The Church’s free confidential helpline and counselling service,
‘Towards Healing’, is available from 11.00am-1.00pm on 0800 096 3315 or
by email at info@towardshealing.ie.