February 22, 2006

Bishops awaiting green light on new child abuse policy

IRELAND
Irish Independent

John Cooney

THE Vatican has not yet given the go-ahead to the Irish Bishops to implement fully their updated child protection policy following the Government Inquiry into clerical child sexual abuse in the diocese of Ferns, according to the Archbishop of Dublin.

Dr Diarmuid Martin has told the Irish Independent that loose ends have still to be tied up before the Irish Episcopal Conference can fully implement its blueprint, 'Our Children, Our Church'.

Dr Martin's comment flatly contradicts a report in last Saturday's 'Irish Daily Mail' that the Vatican had already approved the children's charter which was published in December.

This landmark policy document, when finally approved by Rome, would provide for the appointment of a professional lay expert who would be responsible for informing the gardai and health authorities of child sex-abuse allegations against a cleric.

Posted by kshaw at February 22, 2006 09:59 AM