STATEMENT FOR PARISHES IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ARMAGH

On Tuesday 10 December past Cardinal Seán Brady published the Review of Safeguarding Practice in the Archdiocese of Armagh by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI) The Review has found that safeguarding practice in the Archdiocese of Armagh conforms to the highest national standards. Cardinal Brady expressed his immense gratitude to the multitude of lay representatives and clergy who have worked hard to attain these high standards. Cardinal Brady repeated his apology to those who have been abused, saying that they had suffered terribly and that he was truly sorry. While acknowledging the Report’s findings that the response in the past was not as robust and coordinated as in the present, the Review recognises that the archdiocese is fully committed to safeguarding children and young people; it also acknowledges that all current child protection concerns are reported fully and without delay to the Police and Social Services. The reviewers established that forty five out of the forty eight assessment criteria have been “fully met” and the remaining three have been “partially met”. At all times, however, whenever and wherever children are involved in Church activities, “vigilance” shall continue to be the watchword of the Archdiocese of Armagh. As part of our outreach to those who have suffered, the Archdiocese of Armagh supports the work of Towards Healing (contact details below), a counselling and psychotherapy service for those who have been abused as children by people working for the Catholic Church in Ireland. A full copy of the Review can be downloaded from the Armagh diocesan website: www.archdioceseofarmagh.com   Towards Healing Website: www.towardshealing.ie Freephone: 1800 303 416 (Republic of    Ireland)  Freephone: 0800 096 3315 (Northern Ireland/UK)