Watchdog: Senior clerics must whistle on suspected paedophiles

Senior Catholic Church clerics who fail to blow the whistle on suspected paedophile priests will be reported to the authorities, a religious watchdog warned today.

A new culture of accountability is also needed to protect vulnerable children in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, the National Board for the Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church (NBSCCC) said.

The body published seven new standards clergy must meet to safeguard youngsters in their care.

NBSCCC chief executive Ian Elliott said while responsible bodies have indicated their willingness to endorse the guidelines, he admitted it had to take the word of church leaders that they will be implemented across the country.

“There isn’t a sanction we can apply, but clearly when we meet a situation where we believe bad practice exists and that is not being addressed we will report it in our annual report and it will be in the public domain,” said Mr Elliott.

“If we met with any situation where we believe a child is at risk and the information was not being conveyed to the appropriate authorities we will immediately do so ourselves. We would not be prepared not to report any situation.”

Its report Safeguarding Children – Standards and Guidance Document for the Catholic Church in Ireland – is targeted at all church workers and volunteers working in 1,365 parishes across the island.

It emphasised all allegations must be reported to health chiefs, gardai or the PSNI, backs whistle-blowers who raise suspicions about colleagues, and calls for a designated officer to be appointed in each diocese or congregation to probe accusations and contact authorities.

Priests at the centre of accusations should also be banned from hearing confession, it recommended.

Elsewhere, it said support and advice should be given to victims of abuse while perpetrators are helped to face up to the reality of their action.

One in Four questioned the trust of a self- monitoring service.

“The Catholic Church leadership has agreed in the past to comply with church guidelines, but in many instances have failed to do so,” said Maeve Lewis, executive director of the sexual abuse support group.

“The acceptance of guidelines is one thing, their robust implementation is another.

“If the Catholic Church is to retain any credibility, it must be accountable for lapses which place children in danger, and individual church leaders must be subject to sanctions.”

NBSCCC recently criticised Bishop of Cloyne John Magee over his mishandling of child sex abuse allegations and found the senior cleric took minimal action over a series of accusations against two of his priests, which was inappropriately delayed, inadequate and dangerous.

But Mr Elliott said procedures were now in place in the former Vatican aide’s west Cork dioceses.

“It is very important any practice of that nature is identified, is very quickly addressed, and eliminated,” said Mr Elliott.

“It is gratifying to report now we have a very different situation in Cloyne where they are actively implementing the eight recommendations in the report and focusing on ensuring their practice is of the highest order.”

Mr Elliott said clergy will have no excuse not to implement the new easy to read standards which will change current practices in the church.

“It sets out very clearly what steps should be taken, where the responsibilities lie for those steps, and creates a monitoring process to ensure the practice we want to see happening is happening within the church,” continued Mr Elliott.

“There is absolutely no excuse that they may find it difficult to understand or that they are not clear in terms of what actions need to taken.”

Catholic Primate Cardinal Sean Brady said the publication was an indication of the church’s resolve to safeguard children at all times.

“Standards and guidance will be of great help in guiding those who are implementing safeguarding policy and procedures throughout Church life and I look forward to its implementation in every parish and diocese in Ireland,” said Archbishop Brady.