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Overview of the Safeguarding Practice from 7th Tranche of Reviews conducted in the Religious Congregations of: The Augustinians; The Passionists: The Sacred Hearts Fathers of Jesus and Mary; The Discalced Carmelites (OCD); The Franciscan Friars; The Franciscan Brothers; The Servites; The Marist Fathers and The Dominican Sisters
And
The 2nd Tranche of small Female Congregations of:
Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary; Holy Faith Sisters; Holy Family of Bordeaux; Sisters of Charity of Nevers; Infant Jesus Sisters; Society of the Holy Child Jesus and the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of Mercy
February 10th 2015
Published today by the various congregations are 9 full inspection reports and a further 7 reports based on a tighter framework that reflects their lack of contact with children, age profile, absence of allegations relating to sexual abuse of children and size. The 9 longer reports cover 8 male religious orders and 1 female religious order, while the smaller reports focus on 7 female religious orders.
“In relation to the large reviews, I’m disappointed that, for the majority of Orders, the whole area of safeguarding is only being bedded down in the last couple of years,” said Teresa Devlin, CEO, NBSCCCI. “Of the 9 only 2 Orders have demonstrated good compliance with the standards, and have demonstrated their commitment to putting in place good safeguards for children as well as prompt responses to allegations of abuse. For the other 7 there is considerable work to be done.”
The inspection process revealed:
Poor record management in many cases making an assessment of practice difficult.
Opportunities to safeguard children were missed, known abusers allowed to remain in ministry in 1990’s.
Management plans relating to accused Priests and Brothers and sisters have improved significantly over time, though there is still room for improvement, in terms of clarity of roles, review of restrictions, and sharing of information.
Support for complainants good in many cases. Good evidence of pastoral support, outreach and direct contact between the Provincial and the survivor.
Variable delays in reporting allegations to the civil authorities up until 2009 (introduction of Safeguarding Children, Standards and Guidance) for most Orders and Congregations, however for some practice did not improve until 2013.
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“A series of recommendations have been made within each report and the Board expects that these will be acted upon,” said Devlin. “We will request an update on their progress in implementing those recommendations in 9 months.”
The reports on the other 7 orders demonstrated a strong sense of commitment to working positively with the National Board, in spite of their limited ministries.
Finally it is important that complainants come forward if there are still unreported allegations of abuse; NBSCCCI encourages reporting to the Diocese/Religious Order and to the civil authorities.
ENDS
For further information please contact: Ger Kenny 087 2488393
Editor’s Notes
NBSCCCI also would encourage anyone who has suffered abuse to contact Towards Healing, Counselling and Support Service for survivors of Clerical and Religious Congregations abuse, which is totally independent although funded by the Catholic Church.
Contact details are:
Towards Healing – Click to visit the website : www.towardshealing.ie
Free phone 1800303416 (Republic of Ireland) Free phone 0800 0963315 (Northern Ireland)
Towards Peace- 01 5053032