UNITED KINGDOM
Independent Catholic News
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
This year will see an increased focus on safeguarding in the Catholic Church in England and Wales with the start of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse, led by Judge Lowell Goddard. In agreement with the Bishops, the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission and the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service the CCN has put together the following update on safeguarding in the Catholic Church in order to ensure that Catholic parishioners are aware of the importance placed on safeguarding in the Church and the safeguarding procedures used across England and Wales.
All allegations of abuse reported to the Church in England and Wales are immediately passed on to the police. The Church works closely and cooperatively with the statutory authorities as these allegations are investigated. Following this investigation, which follows UK law, the Church conducts its own internal investigation, following Canon law.
The safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults is at the heart of the Church’s mission. There is no place in the Church, or indeed society, for abuse, a grievous crime which can affect people for their entire lives.
Victims come first. This has not always been the case. The Church deeply regrets all instances of sexual abuse and the abuse of minors and vulnerable adults, and accepts that grave mistakes were made in the past.
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