Child protection ‘paramount’

Longford Leader
April 16, 2014

http://www.longfordleader.ie/news/local-news/child-protection-paramount-1-6004468

Maria Larkin (Midlands Area Manager of the Child & Family Agency, Tusla), Bishop Francis Duffy (Bishop of Ardagh & Clonmacnois), Sr Colette Stevenson (National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church) and Sergeant Jim Gould (National Garda Vetting Office, Thurles).

The launch of the diocese of Ardagh & Clonmacnois’s Safeguarding Children Policies and Procedures 2014 took place last week.

Bishop Francis Duffy launched the revised policy for the diocese in St Mel’s College, Longford.

Bishop Duffy commented, “We recognise that the welfare of children is paramount and endeavour to ensure that children are respected and safe in the course of their participation in all church activities.”

The launch was attended by Maria Larkin (Midlands Area Manager of the Child & Family Agency, Tusla), Sr Colette Stevenson (National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church) and Sergeant Jim Gould (National Garda Vetting Office, Thurles).

They were joined by diocesan designated liasion persons, diocesan safeguarding committee, safeguarding trainers, local safeguarding representatives, diocesan clergy, representatives of pastoral councils and youth workers.

Bishop Duffy remarked: “In the diocese of Ardagh & Clonmacnois, each child shall be cherished and affirmed as a gift from God with an inherent right to dignity of life and bodily integrity which shall be respected, nurtured and protected by all.

“We value and actively encourage the participation of children in diocesan activities.”

The Diocese of Ardagh & Clonmacnois consists of nearly all of Longford, the greater part of Leitrim and part of counties Cavan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath. The Diocese has a Catholic population of 71,806 with 41 parishes and 80 churches.