Newsletter is not attempt by Diocese to improve reputation

Cloyne Diocesan Safeguarding Children Committee (CDSCC) rejects the assertion in the Irish Examiner (Mar 28) that our recently launched Safeguarding Children Newsletter “is an attempt by the diocese to improve its damaged reputation…”

We reject this assertion because (i) it is not true (ii) it detracts from the bona fides that underpins the publication (iii) it taints the first issue of the newsletter and could, if allowed to go unchallenged, taint future editions (iv) it is detrimental to the work of safeguarding children in the diocese insofar as it publicly ascribes an ulterior motive to something which is fundamentally and solely aimed at promoting best practice in safeguarding children, through provision of useful information to which the public is rightfully entitled (v) it could undermine the confidence of those who are vulnerable in the safeguarding structures of the diocese.

The newsletter, which is just one component of best practice in child safeguarding, is the brainchild of Cloyne Diocesan Safeguarding Children Committee (CDSCC) and it was structured, produced and circulated by them with one aim in mind — promoting best practice in the safeguarding of children in the diocese.

As well as providing useful information to adults, children and other organisations about safeguarding children, the newsletter provides a forum in which parents and children can air their views and these will continue to feature in future editions.

Communicating the Church’s Safeguarding Message is one of the seven mandatory standards which are prescribed for all dioceses in Ireland by the National Board For Safeguarding Children In The Catholic Church. Mr Ian Elliott is the CEO of the National Board.

The Safeguarding Children Newsletter is just one mechanism for communicating the Church’s safeguarding message in the Diocese of Cloyne. The First Cloyne Diocesan Safeguarding Children Conference, which was held in Oct 2011, was another major initiative aimed at achieving best practice in the area of safeguarding children. Other ongoing communication initiatives include: addressing meetings of clergy, regular contact with parish priests and parish safeguarding representatives, parish information meetings, the use of notices and items in parish newsletters for communication with massgoers, and, events such as the launch last week of our newsletter for communicating with the public at large.

Con Lynch (chairman, CDSCC)

Rosarie O’Riordan (secretary, CDSCC)

Macroom

Co Cork