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Safeguarding Children
A new child protection policy for the Diocese of Cork and Ross was
published in Nov 2011 to replace the the Jan 2008 policy. The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church published a Standards and Guidance document for the Catholic Church in Ireland in 2009.
The Cork and Ross policy document is the work of a Diocesan Child Safeguarding Committee. It has brought Diocesan policies and procedures into line with the principles and standards laid down in the national document.
Bishop Buckley, in the foreword, states: “this new Policy document is a statement of the ongoing commitment of this Diocese to ensuring that all children and young people who are involved in Church-related activities are safeguarded and respected”.
The Diocese invites anyone with a child protection concern to contact the Diocesan Delegate, Canon Liam O'Driscoll on 087-3768599.
Diocesan Child Safeguarding Policy Statement.
The Diocese values and encourages the participation of children and young people in the life of the Church, namely in all parish liturgies and in all activities that enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual and social development.
The Diocese recognises that while the safeguarding of children is everyone’s
responsibility, all involved in working with children and young people have a special duty of care towards them.
Ráiteas Deoise Chorcaí & Rois fé Chosaint na Leanaí.
Aithníonn agus taobhaíonn Deoise Chorcaí agus Rois le dínit agus cearta gach uile
leinbh agus na daoine óga go léir. Seasaimíd go daingean lena gcosaint agus lena leas.
Is mór againn páirtíocht na leanaí agus na daoine óga i liotúirgí na bparóistí agus i
ngníomhaíochtaí a chuireann lena bhforbairt i gcúrsaí spriodáltachta, fisiciúlachta,
mothaíochta agus sóisialta.
Aithnímíd go bhfuil dualgas ar gach aon duine leanaí agus daoine óga a chosaint agus
go bhfuil dualgas speisialta chúraim ar gach éinne a oibríonn le leanaí.
Diecezjalna deklaracja w sprawie ochrony dzieci.
Diecezja Cork i Ross uznaje i chroni godność i prawa wszystkich dzieci i zobowiązuje się do zapewnienia ich bezpieczeństwa i dobrobytu.
Diecezja ceni i zachęca do udziału dzieci i młodzież w życiu Kościoła, a mianowicie we wszystkich liturgiach parafialnych i wszystkich działaniach, które zwiększają duchowy, fizyczny, emocjonalny, intelektualny i społeczny rozwój.
Diecezja uznaje, że chociaż ochrona dzieci jest obowiązkiem każdego, tak wszyscy zaangażowani w pracę z dziećmi i młodzieżą mają szczególny obowiązek troski o nich.
Notification.
In the past, it was the practice of the Diocese that persons making complaints of a child protection nature were met with by diocesan personnel to inform them of the need to report their allegation to the statutory authorities. This was found to cause some delay in notifying the statutory authorities. After a review in 2011, the Diocese now believes that this is not good practice. Consequently, all complaints are notified to the Gardai and the H.S.E. without delay. We will, of course, continue to work with and support the person making the complaint. All victims are offered counselling and support.
Anonymous Complaints.
From time to time, anonymous complaints are also received. For the avoidance of doubt, it is the policy of the Diocese that the statutory authorities are notified of such complaints. However, the statutory authorities and the Diocese can be limited in the actions that are possible arising from anonymous complaints when the identity of the complainant and the alleged victim are not given. However, all complaints are notified and investigated.
Click here to read or download the document as a PDF file.
Concerns
If you or anyone has a child protection concern or wishes
to report an allegation directly to the statutory authorities, i.e. the
local Health or Social Services (the Duty Social Worker) and the Garda
Siochana, the contact details are::
Health Services Executive
•
North Lee Community Services, Social Work Servs, North Lee, Blackpool,
Cork. Tel: 021-4927000.
•
South Lee Community Services, St. Finbarr’s Hospital, Douglas Rd.,
Cork. Tel: 021-4923001.
•
West Cork Community Services, Coolnagarrane, Skibbereen, Co. Cork. Tel:
028-40447/40456..
An
Garda Siochana
•
Anglesea Street, Cork. Tel: 021-4522000.
•
Clonakilty, Co. Cork. Tel: 023-8821570.
•
Bantry, Co. Cork. Tel: 027-20860.
Diocesan Designated Officer
The Designated Officer for the Diocese of Cork and Ross is:
V. Rev. Canon Liam O'Driscoll, Cork & Ross Offices, Redemption Road, Cork.
Tel. 087/3768599
Deputy Designated Officer for Safeguarding Children:
Rev. Tom Deenihan, Cork & Ross Offices, Redemption Road, Cork.
Tels: 087/3768599 or 021/4301717
Email: secretary@corkandross.org
Related resources
Pope
Benedict's Letter to Irish Catholics
Pope Benedict's Pastoral Letter & Cardinal Sean Brady's welcome address (2010)
Safeguarding Children
Safeguarding Children - Standards and Guidance Document for the Catholic
Church in Ireland (2009)
Our
Children, Our Church
Child Protection Policies and Procedures for the Catholic Church in
Ireland published in December 2005.
Irish
Bishops' Pastoral Letter for Lent 2005: "A Time for Healing"
Deals with the Church's response to Child Sexual Abuse.
Child
Sexual Abuse: Framework for a Church Response - Report Of The Irish Catholic Bishops' Adisory Commottee On Child Sexual Abuse By Priests And Religious Published
in 1996 by Veritas Publications.
