Archbishop: Church working to prevent 'terrible wrong' happening again

The review process, which began in March 2023, assessed compliance with Safeguarding  Children Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland, 2016. The Reviewers also  looked at governance arrangements in the Diocese and any opportunities for learning and  development. The child safeguarding standards examined in the Review are as follows: 

Standard 1: Creating and Maintaining Safe Environments  

Standard 2: Procedures for responding to Child Protection Suspicions, Concerns, Knowledge  or Allegations.  

Standard 3: Care and Support for the Complainant.  

Standard 4: Care and Management of the Respondent.  

Standard 5: Training and Support for Keeping Children Safe.  

Standard 6: Communicating the Church’s Safeguarding Message.  

Standard 7: Quality-Assuring Compliance with the Standards.  

The Reviewers considered changes and developments in the diocese since the last Review in  2011. Child safeguarding practices and arrangements, including strategic plans, operational  policies and guidance were examined. Written records were reviewed and, as part of the  process, the reviewers met with a range of people, including parents, young people, Youth  Leaders and safeguarding personnel within the Diocese. They also visited some parishes and  spoke with representatives of religious congregations, PSNI, Social Services and a survivors’  group.  

The Reviewers saw evidence that the diocese co-operated fully with a PSNI investigation in  2018/19 into allegations of abuse in St Colman’s College and that the Diocese apologised  unreservedly and publicly for the hurt and damage caused to victims and survivors.  

The Review commends a number of initiatives taken in the Diocese of Dromore, including:  

• reaching out to and offering support to complainants and their families; • giving assurance around the child safeguarding arrangements within the Diocese;  • reaffirming and publicising the Diocese’s commitment to ensure children and young  people are kept safe as they participate in the life of the Church;  

• reconnecting with parishes and young people, post Covid-19.  

In their conclusions the Reviewers state that they ‘are satisfied with and assured by the  safeguarding arrangements within the Diocese based on evidence from documentation  examined, supplemented by engagement with Archbishop Eamon Martin, his safeguarding  team, Local Safeguarding Representatives, Youth Ministry leaders, parents, young people,  and the Safeguarding Committee’. 

Based on their meeting with survivors and the suggestions made by them, the reviewers  believe that there is scope for further diocesan consultation with survivors of abuse. The  reviewers state that they ‘observed commitment at all levels to providing and supporting a  safe environment for all young people involved in Church ministry’. In discussions with the  parishes, the reviewers say that it was evident to them ‘that there is good teamwork,  collaboration and support from the safeguarding team who are committed to providing  good governance around standards of practice, and to having policy, procedures, and  guidelines in place across the parishes’.  

The reviewers remarked that ‘everyone who engaged with them during the review process  had demonstrated a good awareness of their role and responsibilities in safeguarding  children. They are dedicated to keeping young people safe, whilst providing an environment  that nurtures and supports them in their social, emotional and spiritual development’. 

Welcoming today’s publication of the Review Report, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Apostolic  Administrator of the Diocese of Dromore said,  "I am grateful to the many lay people, religious and clergy who are engaged in safeguarding  at parish and diocesan level throughout the Diocese of Dromore.

"We are determined to  ensure that children and other vulnerable people are safe and protected in all Church  activities and that any allegations received are promptly referred to the statutory authorities  and processed in line with best practice.

"We are very much aware of the terrible wrong done to innocent children in the past and we are doing everything in our power to prevent anything like that happening again.

"I encourage everyone to read the Review report in full  and to be vigilant to ensure that the Diocese remains fully committed to safeguarding today and in the future." 

A full copy of the Review Report is available on the Dromore Diocesan website  www.dromorediocese.org and will also be published in the coming days by the National  Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland www.safeguarding.ie