For a Synodal Church- Communion, Participation, Mission

Posted on by Marion Adams

For the past month our Bishop has been attending the synodal consultation and discussions in Rome.

On the 27th October2024, Pope Francis presided over the Synod’s closing mass.

During the mass Pope Francis spoke;

“we cannot remain inert before the questions raised by the women and men of today, before the challenges of our time, the urgency of evangelization and the many wounds that afflict humanity.

 “A missionary Church that walks with her Lord through the streets of the world”

 See below, a link to the final document of the Synod, please look through it. Could I draw your attention to just one of many elements of this document, Part v – “So I send You” forming a people for Missionary Discipleship.

For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission

 This is an all-encompassing document which looks to how our Church is going forward with missionary zeal and prayer.

It will be discussed throughout our Church, our Dioceses and in our Parishes.

From a local perspective, in Down and Connor this journey will be seen and driven by our local diocesan strategy “Pathways to the Future”

SBNI Safeguarding Futures Newsletter

Posted on by Marion Adams

The SBNI are delighted to introduce you to the initial “Safeguarding Futures” newsletter and appreciate you taking the time to read the content. A key element of the newsletter is to promote effective communication with everyone involved in safeguarding children and young people.  We hope this newsletter will help raise awareness of Child Exploitation (CE) across various domains.

The current and future editions will provide an update on the collective efforts made to address critical issues underpinning child criminal exploitation.  It will also outline the need for and benefits of a co-ordinated and collaborative approach to enhance child protection and safeguarding measures. The newsletter will seek the involvement of SBNI members, partner agencies, community organisations, children and young people and carers to influence future decisions and service delivery. We also hope to share progress on the action plan, disseminate learning and good practice as well as highlight emerging issues.

SBNI SAFEGUARDING FUTURES NEWSLETTER

UPDATE JULY 2024 – National Board Revised Child Protection Policy and Standards

Posted on by Marion Adams

On the 11th June 2024 the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland issued the revised  safeguarding policy and standards

“A Safe and Welcoming Church, Safeguarding Children Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland, 2024.”

This is a significant publication and replaces “Safeguarding Children Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland 2016”, the seven standards policy with associated suites of guidance under each of the seven standards, which we all have become familiar with and which has underpinned safeguarding in our Diocese of Down and Connor and across every Dioceses , Religious Orders and ministries with children in the Catholic Church in Ireland.

The publication of this revised policy has been a significant piece of work and has been overseen by a Steering Group with representatives from a number of Dioceses and Religious Orders. The revised policy has been informed by a series of consultation and listening exercises involving dioceses and parishes across Ireland (including listening exercises and consultation within Down and Connor which a number of you were involved in ), groups of young people and engagement with victims and survivors. Statutory Agencies were also involved in this consultation.

I urge you to embrace this revised policy. The fundamental elements of safeguarding within the church do not change ; creating and maintaining safe environments where children and young people can nurtured in their faith, responding to suspicions, concerns, knowledge and allegations in line with legislation and communicating the safeguarding message,

Where there were seven standards with associated suites of guidance there are now three standards with suites of guidance:

The Policy statements Posters in all our Churches and Parish Centres will be changed and the Safeguarding Office will set up three Information Sessions on the revised Policy “A Safe and Welcoming Church, Safeguarding Children Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland, 2024,  two online and one face to face.

 

Philip O Hara

 

UPDATE JAN 2024 – National Board Review Report

Posted on by Marion Adams

Review of Safeguarding Practice in the Diocese of Down and Connor

The Diocese is publishing the Report of the recent Review of Safeguarding in our Diocese which took place in June 2023.

The publication of the Report marks Safeguarding Sunday 4th February 2024.

Promoting a culture of safeguarding remains a priority for our Church.

The Diocese of Down and Connor is committed to promoting the welfare of all its children and young people and to encouraging their full participation in the life of the Church.

It was important that the voice of victims was heard in this Report.

Could I thank all those Parishes and the Youth Ministry who directly engaged with the Reviewers and our Parish Priests, volunteers and parishioners who continue to service our Parish Safeguarding Committees. The Report highlights your commitment and provides a sound platform from which Parishes can each progress on their  journeys and opportunities that Pathways to the Future will bring.

 

 

Philip O’Hara

Interim Director for Safeguarding

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE REPORT