Bishop and religious representatives meet with Ms Maureen Lynott

11 Oct 2004

PRESS RELEASE

11TH OCTOBER 2004

BISHOP AND RELIGIOUS REPRESENTATIVES MEET

WITH MS MAUREEN LYNOTT

Members of the Steering Group: Bishop Colm O Reilly, Sister Helena O Donoghue
and Father Tommy Murphy met today with Ms Maureen Lynott accompanied by Mr
Ger Crowley and Mr Kevin McCoy.

The meeting was constructive and discussed options on how best to proceed to
resolve the key outstanding issues raised in relation to a one-church policy
on child protection.

The meeting reiterated that there is a large measure of agreement on the
complex issues involved. Options on the way forward will now be considered
by the full Steering Committee of the Sponsoring Bodies.

The meeting agreed to reconvene in early November.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS
The Steering Group of the Working Group on Child Protection Policy represents
its three sponsoring bodies: the Irish Bishops Conference; the Conference of
Religious in Ireland and the Irish Missionary Union.

The Working Group to develop a comprehensive Child Protection policy for the
Irish Catholic Church held its first meeting on June 5th, 2003. Led by
management consultant Maureen Lynott, the Group was established by the
Irish Bishops Conference, the Conference of Religious of Ireland (CORI)
and the Irish Missionary Union (IMU). Members of the group included experts
in education, health, child protection, social work, law enforcement, victims
rights representatives and theologians. The group concluded itS work on
September 16th, 2004.

Further information:
Martin Long Director of Communications (086 172 7678)