Bishop Crean
Message to People of the Diocese of Cloyne
Safeguarding Sunday
4th March 2018
Dear Friends,
In August we will celebrate the World Meeting of Families, a wonderful opportunity for us to appreciate the importance of family life and to reflect on our own families where we should feel safe, nurtured, cherished. The Church too is a family; it is the ‘ Family of families’ as Pope Francis calls it. In this family of Church, we too are nurtured, cherished and need to feel safe. In this family children and young people can also develop to their full potential.
Most young people today are familiar with the internet; it is now part of the process of growing up. We live in a world with wonderful opportunities for us to communicate with each other and the possibility to see what is happening in the present all over the world, this is due to the great advancements in technology and science, via TV and the internet. Pope Francis in his message for World Day for Communications in 2016 said: “The internet can help us to be better citizens. The internet can be used wisely to build a society which is healthy and open to sharing. It can help us to be better people”. (Misericordiae Vultus, 23).
Last year at the Celebrations of Confirmation I spoke of the choices young people have to make for example ‘social media is great but is has its snares for young people’. Social media and the internet can be of great use to us in our communicating. However, we are well aware of the danger the internet poses to children and young people which is evident from recent revelations in the media. It is possible now to abuse a child in their own home without being present physically to them. It is important that parents/guardians be ever vigilant towards their children, their online status and access to the world wide web. Families are meant to be safe places for young people to grow up, with access to social media and the world wide web that safety is threatened. May we all be more aware of the possibility of the internet and the danger that the internet poses to young people and children.
In the family of the Church we too need to be constantly vigilant. The internet now helps us to keep updated in Safeguarding and to ensure best practice for Safeguarding children. In this Diocese we have a dedicated website for Safeguarding Children which contains the Policy and procedures of the Diocese and in the future, we will also have the Safeguarding Statement which is now a legal requirement. I urge all people to look up the website and to read the Statement when it becomes available and to check the website of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland.
There are a great number of people in the family of the Diocese of Cloyne who are working to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We are indebted to them for this. I encourage you to continue this work and do not be afraid to speak up to help us all ensure best practice in the Diocese.
We continue to work to make things better and to all who have suffered abuse from members of the Church, I once again express my sincere sorrow and my commitment to Safeguarding Children in the Diocese.
I encourage young people to become involved with the Church today. In the words of Pope Francis: “A better world can be built also as a result of your efforts, your desire to change and your generosity. Do not be afraid to listen to the Spirit who proposes bold choices; do not delay when your conscience asks you to take risks in following the Master. The Church also wishes to listen to your voice, your sensitivities and your faith; even your doubts and your criticism. Make your voice heard, let it resonate in communities and let it be heard by your shepherds of souls.” (13/1/2017)
I once again thank everyone involved in the Diocese working for Safeguarding Children. May we all communicate the good news that children and young people are welcomed, nurtured and cherished. May our families be safe places and may the Church, the Family of Christ, be a safe place for the young.
With prayerful good wishes.
+ Wm. Crean
__________________________
Most Rev. William Crean, D.D.,
Bishop of Cloyne
Safeguarding structures, people and policy in place in the Diocese of Cloyne:
The Diocese of Cloyne recognises and upholds the dignity of all children and vulnerable adults and is committed to ensuring their safety and wellbeing. Each child shall be cherished and affirmed as a gift from God with an inherent right to dignity of life and bodily integrity which shall be respected, nurtured and protected by all.
The Diocese has a:
- Diocesan Safeguarding Committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Willie Keane. (9 members of lay people and priests)
- Vetting Coordinator and Training officer – Rosarie O’Riordan
- Parish Safeguarding children Representatives in each parish
- Designated Liaison Persons Fr. Patrick Winkle / Mr. Ger Crowley
- Safeguarding Office: Mallow Community Youth Centre, New Road, Mallow
- All Diocesan Priests ministering in the Diocese receive ongoing training for Safeguarding. They also are Garda Vetted.
- All people working with Children and vulnerable adults in the Diocese have to be Garda vetted and undergo training in the Diocesan Policy.
- It is a legal requirement for all who work with children and vulnerable adults to be Garda vetted.
- Vulnerable Adults: An interim policy is in place see www.cloynediocese.ie under Policies
- Annual Parish Audits are carried out.
- Parish Information Sessions are given.
- Advisory Panel for Management of Cases: National Case Management Reference Group
Contact details for Reporting:
If you, or anyone you know, has a child protection concern, or wishes to report an allegation of child abuse directly to Church Authorities, please contact the Designated Liaison Person
(DLP).Designated Liaison Person(s) (DLP): Phone Number: 086 0368999
If you, or anyone you know, has a child protection concern or, wishes to report an allegation directly to the Statutory Authorities, please contact the Garda or Tusla (Child and Family Agency) and ask to speak to the Duty Social Worker.
Tusla (Child and Family Agency)
Mallow / Fermoy Phone Number: 022 – 54100
Cobh / Midleton / Macroom Phone Number: 021 – 4927000
In cases of emergency please contact An Garda Síochána.
HELPLINES
HSE Information: 1850241850 (callsave); www.hse.ie; Monday to Friday: 8am – 8pm.
Toward Healing: 1800 303416; www.towardshealing.ie; or text no. only 085 8022859; Monday – Thursday: 11am -8pm
Friday: 11am -4pm
Towards Peace: 01 5053028; Mobile: + 353 (0) 86 7710533; Monday – Wednesday: 10am – 5pm; Email: towardspeace@nulliecon.ie; www.towardspeace.ie
Connect Counselling: 1800 477 477; www.connectcounselling.ie; Wednesday to Sunday: 6pm to 10pm
Childline: 1800 66 66 6; www.childline.ie; or text talk: 50101
ISPCC: 016767960
National Safeguarding Board: 01 5053124; www.safeguaring.ie
Cloyne Diocesan Safeguarding Committee: www.safeguardingchildrencloyne.ie; 022-21009; 087-2277274
Websites:
Diocesan Safeguarding: www.safeguardingchildrencloyne.ie
National Board: www.safeguaring.ie
TUSLA: www.tusla.ie
About the World Meeting of Family Logo
As well as representing God’s love, flowing from the cross, embracing all the families of the world, the semicircle and cross also represent the ‘dome’ of the Church, “a family of families, constantly enriched by the lives of all those domestic churches” (Pope Francis, The Joy of Love, n. 87).
Prayer for Families
God, our Father, We are brothers and sisters in Jesus your Son,
One family, in the Spirit of your love. Bless us with the joy of love.
Make us patient and kind, gentle and generous, welcoming to those in need.
Help us to live your forgiveness and peace. Protect all families with your loving care, Especially those for whom we now pray:
[We pause and remember family members and others by name].
Increase our faith, Strengthen our hope, Keep us safe in your love,
Make us always grateful for the gift of life that we share.
This we ask, through Christ our Lord, Amen
Mary, mother and guide, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, father and protector, pray for us.
Saints Joachim and Anne, pray for us.
Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, pray for us.
