Archbishop Eamon Martin, in his opening address at the annual
conference of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the
Catholic Church in Ireland, spoke on the risk of abuse to vulnerable
children in Ireland and abroad.
Highlighting Pope Francis’ encouragement for greater involvement in
works of mercy in this Jubilee Year of Mercy, Archbishop Martin said to
the 220 delegates present at the conference: “I see the work of
safeguarding as a prophetic work of mercy in the Church today.”
He continued: “This time last year I had the privilege of being
present with Pope Francis at the Synod on the Family. Delegates from
all over the world shared with us their experiences of real threats to
children and the vulnerable. We heard about dangers to children due to
forced migration of families, and about young people getting caught up
in international networks of human trafficking. Other delegates spoke
to us of the exploitation of children in prostitution or as cheap
labour, as child soldiers or for organ trafficking.
“We have seen for ourselves shocking scenes of little children being
handed from choppy waters into the arms of rescuers, or washed up like
discarded dolls on the seashore. I found it very disturbing during the
summer to read that more than 600 unaccompanied children wander around
the Calais refugee camp, clearly in a situation of great risk.”
Archbishop Martin also noted that these risks are not always far
away: “We have learned to our shame that abuse of young people too often
occurs in the very places where one might have thought they would be
most safe and cared for, including, sadly, in their homes, schools, and
parish communities.
“Let us remain alert to potential risk situations here in Ireland
with our increased rates of homelessness, forced home repossessions and
alarming levels of violence in the home. We cannot ignore the bleak
solution for children and their parents who are spending long periods in
direct provision centres for asylum seekers in this country. Consider
also the new challenges presented by social media, easily accessible
pornography on the internet and the vulnerability of young people to
those who would entrap or deceive them.”
He concluded, saying, “Let no one say the work of safeguarding is
done. It remains an essential outreach of mercy towards the
marginalised, the neglected and those most at risk. You are at the
vanguard of this important work of mercy, witnessing prophetically from
within the Church to the need for society always to be on the alert for
danger and exploitation.”
The two-day conference was held in Tullamore, Co Offaly, and was
attended by 220 delegates from throughout Ireland, North and South, and
included bishops, priests, members of religious congregations,
safeguarding liaison personnel and voluntary parish representatives.