Safeguarding children?

IT is deeply troubling that the 2010 Annual Report of the National Board for Safeguarding Children reveals that the review of child safeguarding practices in each diocese, which the Hierarchy requested the board to commence in 2009, has been thwarted by them for over two years.

The diocesan review is apparently only to proceed on the basis that any findings made against a diocese, or congregation, in the course of these audits, will not be disclosed to the public without the consent of the bishop or head of an implicated religious order.

The investigation of allegations in the Diocese of Cloyne commenced with a review of two cases in 2008 but the Report of the Commission of Investigation subsequently examined allegations against 19 priests in that diocese of 46 parishes. Public confidence in the proposed audit of safeguarding practices by the board will not be enhanced if the findings are to be muzzled by the Church authorities. Tardiness with respect to critical communications neither serve the interests of children, the Church nor the Catholic community.