THE CATHOLIC Bishop of Raphoe, Dr Philip Boyce, has confirmed that his is one of the dioceses audited by the church’s child protection watchdog.
It is known that the National Board for Safeguarding Children, whose chief executive is Ian Elliot, has completed such audits in three of the 26 Catholic dioceses in Ireland and is expected to have finalised audits on three more by the end of this month. No details of any can be released without the permission of the relevant bishop.
In a letter to The Irish Times today, Bishop Boyce says: “I have fully co-operated with the recent audit by the Health Service Executive and the audit review by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church.”
He continues: “All allegations of abuse are reported to the statutory authorities. A diocesan child protection committee was set up in June 2006.”
In addition, “there are two specially trained people who, in turn, have trained church personnel, both clerics and laity, in child-protection policies and procedures. All 33 parishes have two or more child protection representatives who, in turn, train at local level all church personnel who are involved in activities with children.”
THIS IS THE FULL LETTER TO TODAY’S IRISH TIMES:
A chara, – I refer to the article by Mary Raftery published in The Irish Times (Opinion Analysis, July 14th), where it is stated that there has been a mismanagement of child safeguarding allegations in the diocese of Raphoe “with persistent allegations that there was knowledge of abuse at the highest levels which was not acted on”. I wish to challenge this unfounded statement.
As bishop of Raphoe, I have fully co-operated with the recent audit by the Health Service Executive and the audit review by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church. The diocese takes the duty of safeguarding children very seriously. Reflecting church safeguarding policies, all allegations of abuse are reported to the statutory authorities. A diocesan child protection committee was set up in June 2006. Furthermore, there are two specially trained people who, in turn, have trained church personnel, both clerics and laity, in child protection policies and procedures. All 33 parishes have two or more child protection representatives, who in turn train at local level all church personnel who are involved in activities with children. An audit of good practice is carried out in each parish every year and forwarded to the National Board for Safeguarding Children. Vetting for those who work with children has also been put in place.
I express my shock and deep disappointment with the findings of the Cloyne report. It enforces my commitment to continue working and co-operating with State bodies and church policies in creating and sustaining a safe environment for children. – Is mise,
Bishop PHILIP BOYCE, OCD
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.
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