All parishes and religious communities are encouraged to light a candle of
atonement and to organise a service or moment of prayer on the first Friday of Lent. In 2026, this
day will fall on Friday 20th of February.

Resources for liturgies have been prepared with the support of Towards Peace and are available here

Day of Prayer for Survivors and Victims of Abuse Mass Booklet

Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Abuse Resource Pack

In December 2025, the NBSCCCI made some editorial changes to Church safeguarding policy: A Safe and Welcoming Church Safeguarding Children Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland 2024. This was to ensure that there was consistency throughout and that all criteria within Appendix D tables 3 & 4 were reflected in the main body of the policy document. For an updated version of the policy, please click "A Safe and Welcoming Church Safeguarding Children Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland 2024." 

Electronic Newsletter - Spring 2026 Click here to read our newsletter

I am pleased to announce on behalf of the NBSCCCI that we recently engaged in a successful recruitment campaign to fill the vacant post of Director of Safeguarding within the  national office team of the NBSCCCI.

I am delighted to welcome Julie McCullough into this important role. Julie is a coru registered social worker who brings with her a wealth of experience from her work in safeguarding within the community, paediatric services and for many years across various positions within the Church.

Julie will be responsible, alongside the national office staff and myself, for implementing the strategic goals and objectives of the NBSCCCI and for assisting and advising yourselves as Church Leaders in the areas of policy development and best practice in relation to all aspects of Safeguarding children.   

Julie can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Regards,

Aidan Gordon.

                                                                     Julie McCullough: Director of Safeguarding: NBSCCCI