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Message from Bishop William Crean to the People of the Diocese of Cloyne re Safeguarding Children

The following message was read at all Sunday Masses (including Vigil Masses) in the Diocese of Cloyne on the weekend of 25th/26th Feb 2017.

Dear Friends,

I take this opportunity to highlight the importance of Safeguarding Children in the Diocese of Cloyne. The New Policy Document on Safeguarding Children and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland has come into practice. This Policy is a “One Church Policy” for the Church in Ireland. We all want to have safe places and structures so that young people and vulnerable adults may be able to participate fully in the life of the Church. A lot of work has been done over the years to put in place proper structures to safeguard children. However, we can never become complacent in this work.

I appreciate the ministry priests and people give to children, young people and vulnerable adults in the Diocese. It is a continued sign of God’s presence. The success of young people traveling to Lourdes and to World Youth Day as well as all those children who took part in the various faith camps in the Diocese during last summer are reminders that the structures in place for Safeguarding are working. The involvement of children and young people as Altar Servers and as members of choirs continue to remind us of the importance and necessity of involving children and Young People in the Liturgy. We are indebted to all those volunteers in the Diocese who work to implement the Safeguarding Children Policies and Procedures.

I once again reiterate our commitment to best practice of Safeguarding of children in the Diocese. I continue to work to ensure that the Diocese is here to listen to those who have been abused as children by anyone in Church ministry, and to offer them support. I think of those who have been abused and the hurt they have endured and of those who courageously have come forward to tell their story. I encourage anyone who has been abused by Church personnel to report it.

The whole church in Ireland has set aside Friday 3rd of March, the First Friday of Lent, as a time to pray for survivors and victims of abuse. I ask that you remember them in your prayers and masses on that day.

I ask you to continually pray for the work of Safeguarding Children in the Diocese that we may continue to reach out to young people and children that they may hear and know the Joy of the Gospel.

The Safeguarding of Children involves all of us working together to ensure that children grow up with their right to dignity respected.

“Anyone who welcomes one little child like this in my name welcomes me”, Matthew 18:5.

Bishop William Crean.

 

Prayer:

Father, your Church is at once holy, yet always in need of purification.
Watch over us with loving care, and pour out your Spirit upon us,
that your Church may be renewed in faith and holiness, and cleansed from every sin. Make us a sign of your love for all and witnesses to the beauty and friendship of Jesus Christ in communion with his Church.
This we ask in the name of Him who lives and reigns with you, and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Safeguarding Structures, People and Policy in place in the Diocese of Cloyne:

  1. The Diocese has;
    • Safeguarding Policy
    • Diocesan Safeguarding Committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Willie Keane.
    • 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.
  2. All Diocesan Priests ministering in the Diocese have and are undergoing ongoing training for Safeguarding. They also have been Garda Vetted.
  3. All people working with Children and vulnerable adults in the Diocese are being Garda vetted and undergo training.
  4. It is now the Law of the land for all who work with children and vulnerable adults to be Garda vetted.
  5. Vulnerable Adults: A working policy document has been developed and is being rolled out in the coming months.
  6. Annual Parish Audits are carried out.
  7. Parish Information Sessions are given.
  8. Advisory Panel for Management of Cases: National Case Management Reference Group

Cloyne Diocesan Safeguarding Committee Contact Details:

Tel: 022-21009
Mob: 087-2277274
Website: www.safeguardingchildrencloyne.ie

Report an Allegation:

If you, or anyone you know, has a child protection concern, or wishes to report an allegation of child abuse directly to Church Authorities, contact the Designated Liaison Person(s) (DLP). Tel: 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 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 contact An Garda Síochána.

Helplines:

HSEInformation, 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 66 or text talk 50101, www.childline.ie

ISPCC, Tel: 016767960

National Safeguarding Board, 01 5053124, www.safeguaring.ie

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