Don't be alone with children, church workers told

Priests and church volunteers in the Diocese of Ferns are being told to avoid contact with children while not in public view.

A code of conduct was drawn up in the Diocese of Ferns, where a number of priests have been investigated amid claims they abused youngsters in their care.

Under the new code, clergy, staff and volunteers attached to the Catholic Church are being told never to be alone in a car, building or closed room with a young person.

Pastoral ministry to young people will only take place in publicly-accessible rooms with clear glass windows.

Bishop Eamonn Walsh, of the Co Wexford diocese, described the measure as a “positive” move.

He said: “The bottom line of it is that a good healthy church environment is a good experience for young people and I had a wonderful lucky experience with the parish I grew up in.

“When I went to school I was fortunate to be exposed to good religious (people). It has brought me into contact with Vincent de Paul and the marginalised.

“There is a whole lot of that kind of influence that we could rob this or the next generation of.”

Bishop Walsh, who is currently a caretaker bishop for the diocese, said the code was drawn up by a working group set up to examine Ferns.

“It is a positive, not a precautionary negative,” he said on the radio.

The code will be launched this weekend and will set up a “controlled contact situation” between church workers and children.

Children will be asked to avoid visits to the homes of volunteers, youth workers and priests.

Priests are to display the statement in church porches across the diocese.

“Sports groups and schools and everybody will think in terms of how can we make sure we protect ourselves as well as protect the children,” Bishop Walsh added.

“Because we have to protect ourselves from situations that could be misinterpreted and that is also an issue.

“This is to protect children but it is also to protect the volunteer.”

A Government-led investigation is under way following the claims of abuse in the Diocese of Ferns.

Last year, the Bishop of Ferns, Brendan Comiskey, resigned over his handling of sex abuse allegations against the late priest Father Sean Fortune.

In April, Bishop Walsh gave an unreserved apology for the rape of a teenager by Father Fortune.

Victim Colm O’Gorman was awarded €300,000 compensation in an historic High Court victory.

A statement was read out in court on behalf of Bishop Walsh, who admitted negligence on the part of the then Bishop.