PRESS RELEASE
4 June 2009
Bishop Leo O’Reilly to launch Safeguarding Children in the Diocese of Kilmore
Bishop Leo O’Reilly, Bishop of Kilmore, will launch this evening the diocesan handbook Safeguarding Children in the Diocese of Kilmore. It contains the child protection policies and procedures that the diocese has developed over the last four years. The launch will take place at 7.30pm in the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Saint Patrick’s College, Cullies, Cavan.
This policy handbook has two main objectives: to protect children at all times and to inform adults about best practice in any type of Church related activity involving children.
A considerable amount of consultation and training of priests and parish personnel has taken place during the four year period of preparation for the publication.
Bishop O’Reilly said “Central to our pastoral mission to spread the Good News of Jesus is ministry to children. A key element of this ministry is valuing and encouraging the participation of children in parish and diocesan activities. Our policy, published today, is a tangible expression of our commitment to safeguarding children throughout the Diocese of Kilmore.
“We are committed to maintaining good practice in safeguarding children so that children involved in Church activities are safer as a result.
“Safeguarding Children in the Diocese of Kilmore is now available on www.kilmorediocese.ie. I am particularly indebted to the members of the Diocesan Safeguarding Children Committee, the co-coordinator and the trainers, for their dedication and professionalism in developing our policy handbook. On behalf of the diocese, I wish to thank them sincerely for their hard work.”
Notes for Editors:
- Background to Safeguarding Children in the Diocese of Kilmore
· 1996: A Framework for a Church Response
· 1999: Children First – National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children
· 2001: Protocol for the Diocese of Kilmore
· 2005: Our Children Our Church was published and the Diocesan Safeguarding Children Committee was set up
· 2006: Two diocesan trainers were accredited in the Keeping Safe programme
· 2009: Safeguarding Children – Standards and Guidance Document for the Catholic Church in Ireland
- Training
· 2006: Two x 2 hour information sessions attended by 174 priests and chairs of parish pastoral councils.
· 2007: Six x 9 hour Keeping Safe training, attended by 136 priests and representatives
· 2008: Four x 6 hour follow up training, attended by 47 parish representatives 3 hour recruitment training attended by 33 recruitment committee members
· 2009: Five x 3 hour recruitment training attended by 118 recruitment committee members
- Vetting
The Diocesan Safeguarding Children Committee and all clergy and volunteers in parishes either have been, or are in the process of undergoing Garda vetting or, as appropriate, the equivalent process in the North, Access Northern Ireland.
- The contents for the new handbook are:
List of Policies Procedures
Diocesan Policy Statement Recruitment Procedure
Guiding Principles Reporting Procedure
Anti-Bullying Policy Diocesan Code of Conduct
Complaints Policy Recommended Supervision Ratio
Computer Policy
Confidentiality Statement
Safety Statement
Safety Statement
- Future Plans
· Implementation of all policies and procedures
· Training for new volunteers and personnel
· Auditing – Parish audit, audit by the Diocesan Safeguarding Children Committee, Audit by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church.
· Feedback -Parents/guardians, children and members of the public are welcome to make their views known on the policy.
· Review of polices and procedures arising from reflection on practice and audit
· Review of polices and procedures arising from reflection on practice and audit
- The Diocese of Kilmore consists as 36 parishes, a Catholic population of 58,000 and 95 churches.
- The Diocese consists of County Cavan, portions of County Leitrim; three parishes in County Fermanagh and portions of Counties Meath and Sligo.
- The Patron of the Diocese is St Felim.
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
Brenda Drumm, Communications Officer 087 233 7797
Brenda Drumm, Communications Officer 087 233 7797
