All-island board to tackle child abuse in the church

THE former head of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in the North is to head up an all-island child protection board.

Ian Elliott warned he was prepared to report any church member he suspects to be involved in child sex abuse.

Mr Elliot, a member of the Presbyterian Church in north Antrim, has been credited with leading thereform of child protection services in the North.

He comes to the role on the back of a controversial period for the church. Most recently, the Dublin archdiocese confirmed that nearly 150 priests and members of other religious orders have been accused or suspected of abuse since 1940.

The role of the board will be to implement the Church’s child protection measures. As part of that role, Mr Elliot will be seeking to motivate ordinary people to play their part in the process.

“It is not some select group making policies to be implemented behind closed doors,” he said.

“This is all about helping the Church to move beyond apology,” he said. “Mistakes are tragic when not learned from and it’s imperative that, in future, we don’t put the rights of anyone above the rights of the child.”

Bishop Colm O’Reilly, who chairs the church’s steering group on child protection, welcomed Mr Elliot’s appointment.

“The Church is extremely pleased to have secured a person of Ian’s proven integrity, expertise and stature to head up this most important role,” said Dr O’Reilly.