- Killaloe diocese welcomes child safeguarding report and urges anybody who has been abused to come forward.
I welcome the publication today of the review of safeguarding practice in the diocese of Killaloe by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland. The Board has conducted a comprehensive audit of safeguarding practice in the diocese and have made four recommendations. On behalf of the diocese we accept these recommendations.
I would like to express my thanks to the members of the National Board for their help in the process of ensuring that our safeguarding systems are the best they can possibly be. Their continued support is appreciated.
The report – one of nine published today in relation to four dioceses and five congregations – follows a full review in November 2013 of case files in the Diocese as well as interviews with key personnel involved in safeguarding children.
The safeguarding practices were assessed against the seven national standards and 48 criteria. The Report found that 44 out of 48 criteria have been fully met, the remaining four are partially met at the time of the audit.
Our first thoughts today are with the victims/survivors of abuse. Abuse of children is reprehensible and there are no words that can adequately express the depth of pain endured by people who have been sexually abused.
The Diocesan Child Safeguarding office under the Director, Ms Cleo Yates, is a key and central part of the commitment of the diocese to the safeguarding of children within the diocese.
I would like to express our appreciation for the support, guidance and assistance afforded to us by An Garda Síochána and the HSE. We have excellent relationships with both statutory bodies. We look forward to working with the newly established Child and Family Agency – Tusla.
The diocese of Killaloe extends our heartfelt apologies to all those who suffered abuse at the hands of a small number of priests of Killaloe. I would like to assure parents and children that the diocese is committed to ensuring that best practices are in place and operational at all times to safeguard children and to listen to their voices.
The report is complementary yet it still is a work in progress. Care, vigilance and monitoring are our approach to all aspects of child safeguarding – involving continual monitoring of all protocols and procedures ensuring that best practice is followed at all times.
Bishop Kieran O’Reilly
ENDS
For further information: Killaloe Diocesan Designated Persons: Ms Cleo Yates 00353 (0) 86 809 60 27, Father Pat Malone 00353 (0) 86 809 60 74
Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: 00353 (01) 505 3017
