The Bishop of Kerry Dr Bill Murphy has revealed that all Kerry adults working within diocesan structures are currently been vetted by Gardaí as part of new child protection guidelines introduced by the Diocese. Details of the new guidelines that include an audit of all Kerry adults working in the diocese were revealed this week on the publication of the new diocese of Kerry Safeguarding Children Standards and Guidance document launched by Bishop of Kerry Dr Bill Murphy.
Results of the audit show that, “all clergy in active ministry, sacristans, parish safeguarding children representatives and leaders of all church organisations are currently being Garda vetted.”
The results also state that strict recruitment procedures for new personnel working with the diocese of Kerry are ensuring that all new recruits, paid and voluntary are now being required to fill in an application form, a declaration form, provide two referees as well as identification details and be Garda vetted.
The diocese of Kerry describes the booklet launched this week as a further tool in assisting the Safeguarding Children Parish Representatives (SCPRs) in their work.
SPCR's were appointed by the diocese last year following training by a retired local Garda superintendent.
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