Church Watchdog Contract to End

By Patsy McGarry
Irish Times
September 25, 2012

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0925/1224324360117.html

THE CATHOLIC Church's child protection watchdog, the National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC), has said the contract of its chief executive, Ian Elliott, will conclude at the end of June 2013. Mr Elliott will be 65 next summer.

In a statement yesterday the NBSC added that "the board will engage in discussions and examine with Mr Elliott whether and how his work with the board can continue beyond that point".

It said "we would like to make it clear that the board has not been subject to any pressures in this regard. While those discussions are ongoing, we will not be making any further statements."

The NBSC is funded by the Irish Catholic bishops, the Conference of Religious of Ireland and the Irish Missionary Union.

Earlier this month it was disclosed that an internal inquiry, headed by former judge Catherine McGuinness, cleared Mr Elliott of allegations made by the Bishop of Down and Connor, Noel Traenor, that he had been spinning against church leadership.

Since then it has also emerged that Mr Elliott came in for severe criticism from the Holy Ghost/ Spiritans congregation during his review of their poor child protection practices. It was published on September 5th last, as were reviews of four dioceses and two other congregations.

On September 11th last NBSC chairman John Morgan told The Irish Times that "Ian Elliott has my full confidence and support in his safeguarding activities." He described Mr Elliott as "a most valuable employee".

He could not say then whether Mr Elliott's contract would be renewed.

Indications that Mr Elliott's contract might not be renewed have been vigorously challenged by Nuala O'Loan. Northern Ireland's former police ombudsman pointed out that "most bishops, and many who hold high office in Ireland, are much older than him".