Catholic Church Accused of Ignoring Safeguarding Recommendations

By Antony Bushfield
The Premier
November 2, 2016

http://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Catholic-Church-accused-of-ignoring-safeguarding-recommendations

The Catholic Church in Scotland is being accused of ignoring safeguarding recommendations made by a commission in 2015.

Former Church of Scotland moderator Dr Andrew McLellan had carried out an investigation examining Safeguarding Protocols in the Catholic Church.

In an open letter to the Bishops' Conference he warned the Church was "confirming the worst fears of survivors... by appearing to ignore" the findings of his commission.

The Catholic Church hit back saying "every recommendation will be implemented".

Dr McLellan's commission met with survivors of abuse. In the open letter he said: "When will we see action from the Catholic Bishops of Scotland in response to the Report?

"Not only do the Scottish public know nothing of the action taken in response to the Report, as far as we can tell from Catholic friends the members of the church themselves know nothing.

"A year ago the Bishops might have used the opportunity of the publication of the Report to introduce systemic reform; now they are in danger of confirming the worst fears of survivors and observers by appearing to ignore its recommendations.

"The one response the Bishops must not make now is to say that things are being done 'behind the scenes'. That response would reveal that they have not understood the problem.

"If we feel frustrated and disappointed, how must survivors feel?"

Fr Tom Boyle, the Assistant General Secretary of the Bishops' Conference, said: "Last August the Bishops' Conference welcomed the McLellan Commission Report and accepted its recommendations in full, undertaking to implement them all. This commitment has not diminished in any way, every recommendation will be implemented.

"Transparency and openness are at the heart of the Church's Safeguarding mission.

"We do not believe any other church, charity or public body in Scotland publishes detailed annual audits nor have any undertaken a public consultation, as the Bishops' Conference did on its Implementation Plan."