Child Safeguarding Statement of Diocese of Killaloe

This statement has been prepared to comply with the requirements of the Children First Act 2015 and is derived from Safeguarding Children Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland 2016.

Statement

As a constituent member of the Catholic Church in Ireland, we recognise and uphold the dignity and rights of all children, are committed to ensuring their safety and well-being and will work in partnership with parents/ guardians to do this. We recognise each child as a gift from God, and we value and encourage the participation of children in all activities that enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual and social development.

All Church personnel (including clergy, religious, staff and volunteers) have a responsibility to safeguard children through promoting their welfare, health and development in a safe and caring environment that supports their best interests and prevents abuse.

Click here to read the Child Safeguarding Statement in full.

For the procedures to implement the child safeguarding policy, the Diocese’s of Killaloe follows the guidance of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland available at www.safeguarding.ie/index.php/guidance

A Message from Bishop Fintan Monahan

Bishop Fintan MonahanI am greatly heartened to see the great work that has been done and is on-going in the Diocese of Killaloe in relation to Safeguarding Children in the Diocese. It is an area of great importance and I would be most anxious to ensure that the high standards already in place continue, develop and expand in line with current best practice.

I welcome the publication and the implementation of the new Safeguarding Children’s Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland 2016. This has been adopted by all Diocese and Religious Congregations in Ireland. I would like to thank the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI) for their guidance, advice and leadership in this crucial area.

The responsibility of ensuring the safety and well-being of our children does not diminish with time; indeed, the task remains a priority requiring constant vigilance and attention on the part of all involved in church life. We all have an important role to play in ensuring that a safe environment is created for our young people to enable them to grow and flourish as full human beings.

The Diocese of Killaloe is fully committed to:

  • Acknowledge the pain, hurt and damage caused by failures in the past to protect children.
  • Liaise and co-operate fully with the appropriate statutory agencies and the National Board for the Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland.
  • Implement policies, procedures and protocols for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults throughout the diocese.
  • Continue to do all in our power to help survivors towards healing.

I would like to thank most sincerely the members of the Killaloe Child Safeguarding Committee who give time and energy in ensuring the Safeguarding Standards, Policies and Procedures are updated and communicated throughout the Diocese. Their commitment, professional skills and expertise is reflected in the material published here.

I appreciate the close co-operation that exists between the Garda Síochána, TUSLA and the Director of Safeguarding in the Diocese.

My sincere thanks to the Representatives in each parish who assist in overseeing and ensuring these guidelines are observed.

May we remain ever vigilant to ensure the well-being and the safety of all in our church communities, especially the young.

The designated people to receive complaints where there are concerns about the safety of children are:

Ms. Cleo Yates 087 3553024

c.yates@killaloediocese.ie

Mr. Joe Searson 085 2535326

jsearson@killaloediocese.ie

With sincere good wishes,

+ Fintan Monahan  15th November 2016

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