IRELAND
Irish Independent
David Quinn
Religious Affairs Correspondent
THE Church's new child protection policy is topping the agenda at the latest meeting of the Catholic hierarchy in Maynooth.
The bishops are still awaiting final recognition from Rome of the policy, called Our Children Our Church and will discuss progress in gaining the required recognition.
They are also hoping to announce the name of the director of the new, revamped child protection office before the end of the month. The section of the policy still waiting for the Vatican's recognition, or 'recognitio', focuses in particular on the management of priests who have been accused of child abuse.
This does not affect the requirement to inform the civil authorities whenever such an allegation is made known. Other aspects of the policy are already being rolled out, and training in how to implement the policy is currently taking place.