‘We must still remain vigilant’ - Bishop
Bishop of Kilmore Martin Hayes has expressed his “sincere sympathy” to the survivors of historical sexual abuse at schools run by religious orders, as detailed in the recently published Scoping Inquiry report.
On reading the findings he said in a statement to The Anglo-Celt: “I extend my sincere sympathy to the survivors who, as children, suffered abuse and violence in a place where they should have been safe, and to their families. In particular, I have been greatly moved by the bravery of survivors who have revealed their experiences in such an effective way.
“I condemn any form of abuse, which is all the more destructive if perpetrated on a child. The abuse of a child in a Church context is an egregious crime and a deep betrayal of a sacred trust.”
The report uncovered 2,395 allegations of sexual abuse in respect of 308 schools, with allegations recorded against 884 distinct alleged abusers.
In the Diocese of Kilmore, complaints include five allegations against two alleged abusers at the De La Salle NS in Cavan Town, and three regarding one alleged abuser at St Norbert’s College, Kilnacrott Abbey, near Ballyjamesduff.
Since the publication and following a public appeal, gardaí have received hundreds more contacts, with the response being coordinated by the Sexual Crime Management Unit at the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB). Individual investigations, meanwhile, will be carried out by dedicated trained gardaí attached to Divisional Protective Service Units in each Garda Division.
Bishop Hayes informed the Celt that all religious-run schools now have a Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy in place, and report annually to their patron confirming the policy has been reviewed and a Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is available to students and staff.
“I will continue to support our schools in Kilmore Diocese to ensure that all child protection procedures are followed and that our schools are safe places of care, compassion, and accountability.
“While safeguarding measures are in place today that provide for the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, we must still remain vigilant. I encourage anyone who has a concern, a suspicion or knowledge of abuse to report it to the DLP in our schools, and/or to report directly to the statutory authorities.”
Bishop Hayes went on to described the report publication as an “important milestone” for survivors, and in terms of “revealing the truth” to parents, students and for everyone living in Ireland today.
He endorsed the statement made by the Catholic Education Partnership - the authoritative and unified voice for the Catholic education sector at primary, post-primary and tertiary levels - published in the wake of the report’s findings.
The CEP said the inquiry's report had “again laid bare the criminal treatment” of children and young people in what was a “gravely dysfunctional and abusive education system” with respect to child safeguarding.
Acknowledging the significance of the report and “grave harm” caused to survivors, their families, and those who suffered but are no longer with us, the CEP offered its full cooperation to any future planned Commission of Inquiry once the Government publishes its terms of reference.
The CEP statement concluded by stating that the Catholic education sector is “fully committed” to maintaining effective child safeguarding and has “always engaged positively” with the Department of Education on the development, review and improvement of such standards.
All Department of Education school inspections already include a child safeguarding review.
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