The Diocese of Derry has published a new document on Safeguarding Children Policies and Procedures that it hopes will ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.
Launching the document, the Bishop of Derry Dr Seamus Hegarty said,
“Its implementation will minimise risk and prevent the serious errors of
the past from recurring.”
The new guidelines were prepared by the Derry Diocesan Child
Safeguarding Committee in line with legal requirements in both
jurisdictions on the island.
Bishop Hegarty described the publication
as a 'living document' that reaffirms the commitment of the Diocese to
protecting children and young people in the church.
He added, “This evening has given us much food for thought and we
leave with a plan for action to revisit our current practices, evaluate
them in the light of these excellent resources and further refine and
improve them.”
He also said that it had been very valuable to work closely with the
social services and the police forces on both sides of the border.
Dr
Hegarty's words were supported by one of the dioceses most senior
priests, Monsignor Eamon Martin, who appealed to everyone working with
the church in the diocese to ensure the implementation of the new
guidelines, including the laity.
He said, “We cannot restore confidence without the help and active
participation of our lay faithful men and women, mothers and father's in
this diocese who love God , who love the church, and who are committed
to passing on the precious gift of faith to the next generation.”
SIC: CIN/IE