THE BISHOP of Cork and Ross has launched a child-protection policy for the diocese to ensure the safety of all children and young people involved in church-related activities.
The new diocesan policy, launched by Dr John Buckley this week, outlines principles and procedures for safeguarding children and young people as well as a code of conduct that must be adhered to.
“It is a continuing source of sadness and regret that people were deeply hurt in the past through abuse by some church personnel.
“It is also deeply regrettable that the church’s systems did not always deal effectively with such situations,” Dr Buckley said. “We are determined to do everything possible to prevent similar situations occurring in the future.”
Dr Buckley said the child-protection policy for the diocese of Cork and Ross was based on recognising the dignity and rights of children, rights which were embedded in Gospel values and civil legislation.
“While child protection is everybody’s responsibility, this initiative is aimed at putting in place standards for all who work with children and young people in church-related activities.”
The policy demands that written parental consent be in place before children or young people can participate in church-related activities, and that clearly defined procedures be in place for the recruitment of adult leaders.
It stipulates that adult leaders will not work alone with children or young people and will not use inappropriate language or make sexual suggestions either to each other or to children or young people.
The policy prohibits the use of alcohol, drugs or illegal substances in the presence of children and young people and states that physical contact between leaders and children and young people must be of an appropriate nature.
Leaders are not to undertake any task of a personal nature for children or young people except in cases of medical emergency.
This policy was drafted and developed by the members of the Diocesan Child Protection Committee, a body established almost two years ago.
The committee will continue to monitor the implementation of the policy, and the document will be under constant review.
Two members of the child-protection committee have also undertaken a programme of training child-protection representatives for every parish, due to be completed by December.
The policy document sets out the commitment of the diocese to co-operate fully with the statutory authorities in all aspects of this matter, to do everything to help victims towards healing, and to ensure that all reports of wrong-doing are properly addressed.
