Safeguarding
Child Safeguarding Statement of Diocese of Killaloe
This statement has been prepared to comply with the requirements of the Children First Act 2015 and is derived from Safeguarding Children Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland 2024.
Statement
The Gospel teaches the importance of ensuring that the Catholic Church community is a warm, welcoming and safeplace for children.
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. (Mark 10:14-15)
Children are gifts from God, to be cherished and recognised for the joyful contribution they make as valued members of the Church.
Our challenge is to follow the example of Jesus in cherishing them. Safeguarding is key to this important task and should be seen, not as a burden, but as an opportunity to embrace and encourage children’s ministry, following the example of Jesus Christ.
This Church body pledges to safeguard children and young people from harm and to support them in their development as valued and integral members of the Catholic Church in Ireland. The Church’s ministry will be inclusive and will uphold their rights.
Consistent with Gospel values, and with civil and criminal law, those who minister will do so with dignity and integrity, honouring their calling to ensure that children and young people are welcomed, cherished and protected, followingthe example set by Jesus.
This Safeguarding Children Policy will be honoured and complied with by all ordained clerics, by vowed female and male religious, and by all lay staff and volunteers in the Catholic Church in Ireland.
Click here to read the Child Safeguarding Statement in full.
Click here to read the commitment to Safeguarding Statement in full.
Click here to read the Safeguarding Policies and Standards for the Church in Ireland.
For the procedures to implement the child safeguarding policy, the Diocese’s of Killaloe follows the guidance of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland available at www.safeguarding.ie/index.php/guidance
A Message from Bishop Fintan Monahan
Fintan Monahan, Bishop of Killaloe.
I am greatly heartened to see the great work that has been done and is on-going in the Diocese of Killaloe in relation to Safeguarding Children in the Diocese. It is an area of great importance and I would be most anxious to ensure that the high standards already in place continue, develop and expand in line with current best practice.
I welcome the publication and the implementation of the new Safeguarding Children’s Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland 2024. This has been adopted by all Diocese and Religious Congregations in Ireland. I would like to thank the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI) for their guidance, advice and leadership in this crucial area.
The responsibility of ensuring the safety and well-being of our children does not diminish with time; indeed, the task remains a priority requiring constant vigilance and attention on the part of all involved in church life. We all have an important role to play in ensuring that a safe environment is created for our young people to enable them to grow and flourish as full human beings.
The Diocese of Killaloe is fully committed to:
- Acknowledge the pain, hurt and damage caused by failures in the past to protect children.
- Liaise and co-operate fully with the appropriate statutory agencies and the National Board for the Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland.
- Implement policies, procedures and protocols for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults throughout the diocese.
- Continue to do all in our power to help survivors towards healing.
I would like to thank most sincerely the members of the Killaloe Child Safeguarding Committee who give time and energy in ensuring the Safeguarding Standards, Policies and Procedures are updated and communicated throughout the Diocese. Their commitment, professional skills and expertise is reflected in the material published here.
I appreciate the close co-operation that exists between the Garda Síochána, TUSLA and the Director of Safeguarding in the Diocese.
My sincere thanks to the Representatives in each parish who assist in overseeing and ensuring these guidelines are observed.
May we remain ever vigilant to ensure the well-being and the safety of all in our church communities, especially the young.
The designated people to receive complaints where there are concerns about the safety of children are:
Ms. Cleo Yates 087 3553024
With sincere good wishes,
+ Fintan Monahan 14th of June 2024
Submit Question (Safeguarding)
We welcome questions and your feedback. Please feel free to submit a question about the killaloe Diocese website, Safeguarding section