Child Safeguarding Statement of Diocese of Cashel & Emly
The Gospel teaches the importance of ensuring that the Catholic Church community is a warm, welcoming and safe place for children.
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. (Mark 10:14-15)
Children are gifts from God, to be cherished and recognised for the joyful contribution they make as valued members of the Church.
Our challenge is to follow the example of Jesus in cherishing them. Safeguarding is key to this important task and should be seen, not as a burden, but as an opportunity to embrace and encourage children’s ministry, following the example of Jesus Christ.
This Church body pledges to safeguard children and young people from harm and to support them in their development as valued and integral members of the Catholic Church in Ireland. The Church’s ministry will be inclusive and will uphold their rights.
Consistent with Gospel values, and with civil and criminal law, those who minister will do so with dignity and integrity, honouring their calling to ensure that children and young people are welcomed, cherished and protected, following the example set by Jesus.
This Safeguarding Children Policy will be honoured and complied with by all ordained clerics, by vowed female and male religious, and by all lay staff and volunteers in the Catholic Church in Ireland. See the full Child Safeguarding Statement here.
Commitment by Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly – please click here to read the full Commitment Statement by Archbishop O’Reilly.
Details of personnel to contact if you are concerned about the welfare and safety of children.
DLP:
Ms. Cleo Yates: 087 355 3024
Director of Safeguarding for the Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly
TULSA, Child & Family Agency
Child Care Managers
Limerick: 061 482792
North Tipperary: 067 46647
South Tipperary: 052 6170931
Gardaí
Thurles: 0504 25100
Templemore: 0504 31011
Cashel: 062 75840
Tipperary: 062 51212,
Clonmel: 052 6177640
Download Safeguarding Children Policy
Q & A
If there is a lease in place with a committee, then it is not the responsibility of the parish re safeguarding. The safeguarding requirements are the responsibility of the committee who hold the lease.
We have introduced the month of October as Safeguarding month, it was a new concept this year, however next year we will ask parishes to be more proactive in spreading the safeguarding messages for the Church. We have asked for safeguarding to go into parish newsletters along with new posters, leaflets and safeguarding policy sent out to all parishes over the summer, these should be displayed and available within the Church, Parish Offices and halls. The Diocesan website has a safeguarding tab with information on it. An idea was muted re using local media, I will take this idea to the safeguarding committee for discussion.
If this group is part of a parish fundraising event, then the guidelines for safeguarding need to be followed as it is ‘relevant and regular contact’, such as leaders / helpers being vetted, activity consent forms for parents to be signed ( form 1.4 A). However, if all parents are with the children always, then only leaders need to be vetted.
If the event is non- parish but use the parish hall or church, then all they need is to complete the renting of parish facilities form 1.5A. and will need insurance and a child safeguarding policy.
“Do this in Memory” is part of a Ministry within the Parish. Therefore the parish are responsible for ensuring it is run in line with safeguarding. So, the parish will need to do the vetting. As this is a form of Ministry.