Meath bishop praised by child protection watchdog

By Patsy Mcgarry
Irish Times
May 12, 2014

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/meath-bishop-praised-by-child-protection-watchdog-1.1792177

National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC) review of child protection in the Meath diocese was published today.

The Bishop of Meath Michael Smith has been praised by the Catholic child protection watchdog for his “commitment to and leadership in the development of very good standards in the child safeguarding policies, procedures and practices of the diocese of Meath.”

It said that “under the leadership of Bishop Smith the diocese has the benefit of a strong, dynamic and progressive safeguarding team.”.

It did recommend however that the designated liaison person in Meath should be a lay person and that the diocese’s advisory case management was “underused and under resourced and so have not achieved their full potential.”

National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC) review of child protection in the diocese, published at Dioceseofmeath.ie this afternoon, said “the dynamism, commitment and expertise demonstrated by all whom the reviewers came into contact with are highly commended”.

It said “the diocese is well advanced in its parish consultations and feedback sessions” while the reviewers recommended “that consultation with children and young people be built into these parish visits. It is accepted that all child safeguarding incidents allegations or suspicions are properly recorded and securely stored”.

It found that the diocese had adopted “a diligent and proactive approach in its recruitment and vetting procedures that is in line with best practice” .

It found that since January 1st 1975, 11 priests there faced 23 allegations, with one convicted. “ Two priests against whom allegations were found to be unsubstantiated are in active ministry. The reviewers are satisfied that the status of both priests in full ministry is an appropriate one,” it said.

It said “the reviewers consider that safeguarding children in the diocese of Meath is a responsibility taken with the utmost seriousness by diocesan personnel under the leadership and direction of Bishop Smith.”