Broad support for Church’s child abuse initiative

STRICT new guidelines to protect against child abuse within the Catholic Church, which are expected to become policy later this year, have met with broad support.

Under the new draft, every allegation of abuse against a Church worker or volunteer is to be referred to both the gardaí and the relevant health board.

“It’s a bit late in the day, but welcome,” said John Kelly, Irish co-ordinator of Survivors of Clerical Abuse (SOCA).