Church's clear guidelines on reporting of abuse

THOSE criticising the Irish Bishops' Conference's document 'Our Children, Our Church' for its supposed absence of direction on mandatory reporting appear to be missing two essential points.

Firstly, at paragraph 8.6.1, page 46, there is a clear direction to a person "working in any capacity in the Church" to whom an allegation of child abuse is made that he or she "should actively encourage the person who is making it to report the matter to the civil authorities. Appropriate arrangements should be made to support them in doing so, if this is what they wish.

"Should the person making the allegation be under 18 years of age, their parent or guardian can make a statement on their behalf."