A summary of the latest tranche of the reviews of safeguarding practice across the Church
The latest audits of the handling of abuse by the Church’s child protection watchdog show that substantial progress continues to be made, but that there is some inconsistency.
The fourth tranche of the reviews of safeguarding practice across the Church assessed the dioceses of Achonry, Kerry, Ossory and Down & Connor, Armagh and Cashel & Emly. The Christian Brothers and the St Patrick’s Missionary Society (the Kiltegan Fathers) were also reviewed.
“In the majority of cases the progress that has been made has been heartening,” said Teresa Devlin, Acting CEO of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI).
“However, this was not universally the case and we have undertaken to work closely with those that have not met the required standards to ensure that children are properly safeguarded,” she said.
She went on to outline how the completion of 27 audit reports meant that a significant portion of the work to be done had now been completed.
“Our next tranche will see that last of the dioceses being reviewed,” she said.
“And, we will also be dealing with the larger religious congregations and missionary orders during 2014. Thereafter, many of those organisations still to be audited will be small in terms of membership and may have limited involvement with children – so we are expecting such audits to be quite rapid,” she said.
Diocese of Kerry
Priests accused: 21
Allegations: 67
Convictions: 1
Safeguarding criteria
Criteria met fully: 35
Criteria met partially: 8
Criteria not met: 5
The review praised former Bishop of Kerry, Bill Murphy, for his leadership and proactive efforts in making the diocese compliant with child safeguarding, and urged his successor, Bishop Ray Browne to continue with this work.
Noting that Kerry has worked to ensure that clerical abuse allegations have been “appropriately managed” since the introduction of guidance in 1996, the board pointed specifically to the independent review commissioned by Bishop Murphy in 2009 into all known cases of alleged abuse. This, the board said “is very thorough and was of assistance to the reviewers in conducting the NBSCCCI review” of the diocese. The board recommended that Bishop Browne now make sure that all of the recommendations of that independent review have been acted on in full.
Among other areas of concern for the board, Kerry was criticised for its lack of written guidance regarding whistle blowing by staff and volunteers.
This “weakness” in safeguarding, the board stressed, needed to be addressed in the diocese’s revised guidance. One specific difficulty pointed to in managing safeguarding is the number of priests retiring to or visiting the diocese, prompting the board to recommend that the diocese establish and maintain a register of visiting and retired priests and “ensure that all vetting checks and references have been sought prior to allowing them to participate or conduct any public ministry”.
The board noted, however, that “Kerry has a very good track record in conducting internal audits of its compliance at parish level. The diocese currently has 130 child safeguarding parish representatives and has a policy of ensuring there are at least two representatives in each of its 54 parishes.
The board’s review of Kerry also included an apology from the board to one priest who, through a misunderstanding of the nature of the allegation made against him, stood accused of sexual abuse when the allegation was one of psychological abuse. The board stated the priest was “caused to suffer further unnecessary stress and anxiety as a result of this misunderstanding”, not least when it emerged, at the High Court, that the allegation was “fabricated and without foundation”.
Diocese of Ossory
Priests accused: 14
Allegations: 27
Convictions: 2
Criteria met fully: 36
Criteria met partially: 8
Criteria not met: 4
The review contains both criticism of past practices and praise for the efforts of its current bishop in protecting children.
In dealing with the cases of 14 priests – accounting for 27 allegations – the board pointed out that just two of the cases were within the timeframe of Bishop Seamus Freeman. Of these, one ended with the withdrawal of the allegation before it reached the Garda or HSE, while the second, having been referred to the civil authorities, was found not to be a case of child abuse requiring investigation. Both cases, the board noted, had been “appropriately handled” by Bishop Freeman in his actions upon receiving initial allegations.
Criticism, however, was levelled on the basis of historical cases, specific to relevant recording and file-keeping. The board found “illegible notes with significant gaps” making records difficult to accurately consult. The board recommended that Bishop Freeman reorganise old case management using an efficient chronological system. As part of such an undertaking, the board added, Bishop Freeman should further instruct the designated person to detail all named victims towards passing to the civil authorities for their investigations.
While Ossory has appointed four people to deal directly with abuse allegations, it was noted that two who are priests have communicated the burden they felt in having to deal with cases against fellow priests – however, simultaneously, it was found that an avenue allowing for Church personnel to raise allegations, with confidentiality if necessary, had not yet been made available.
Noting that, since 2006, Ossory has appointed two trainers who work within the diocesan youth service and who have delivered training sessions to priests, lay staff and volunteers, the board described this as “a good mix of practice and experience”. It also welcomed the introduction of a central safeguarding office within the diocese.
The board also recommended that Ossory develop a full communications plan towards conveying diocesan plans for promoting safeguarding throughout the diocese, for example, a safeguarding newsletter, regular pastoral letters and one Sunday in the year to highlight the importance of safeguarding.
Archdiocese
of Armagh
Priests accused: 16
Allegations: 36
Convictions: 1
Criteria met fully: 45
Criteria met partially: 3
Criteria not met: 0
The NBSCCCI has praised the leadership of Cardinal Seán Brady in relation to child safeguarding practice in Armagh, saying he has “set out to create an open, participatory and transparent process”.
The reviewers said they saw evidence of a “considerable commitment in the archdiocese to the safeguarding message”. The Parish Safeguarding Representatives met by the reviewers were described as “impressive” in terms of their awareness and energy, and they conveyed a very strong sense of “active, committed lay input into the safeguarding project in the Church”.
Since Cardinal Brady came to office in 1996, the board found evidence of “the emergence of a more focused and committed approach” to the safeguarding of children, and there have been no new abuse allegations recorded post 2000.
Two priests are currently on long term administrative leave pending consideration of cases submitted by the archdiocese to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF).
In both cases the allegations are in relation to up to 20 years ago, one priest was prosecuted and acquitted and the other case did not result in prosecution.
The reviewers acknowledge that the archdiocese has taken positive steps to encourage complainants to come forward, but they would like to see the archdiocese involve children and young people more in the creation of communication materials.
Three thousand people in the archdiocese have been vetted, which is a “significant achievement”, and since 2012, 40 training events have taken place, reaching 450 people. Some 33 Parish Information Facilitators have been trained and training programmes have been completed in 30 parishes.
The safeguarding policy was deemed comprehensive in setting out how to manage risks to children initially, but it is less clear in setting out how the Church proposes to deal with longer term risks, and there is no reference to protocol for dealing with priests against whom allegations have been made but where the civil processes have been discontinued.
The uptake to counselling services has been “relatively low” and a more pro-active and strategic policy for reaching out to, encouraging and responding to victims or alleged victims needs to be in place.
Down and Connor
Priests accused: 42
Allegations: 59
Convictions: 3
Criteria met fully: 46
Criteria met partially: 2
Criteria not met: 0
The review clearly illustrates “the very successful and effective investment of time and resources” by the diocese “over the past five years and reports that the “review of the case material indicates that current practice places emphasis on a timely reporting of the concerning information” to the civil authorities. This report also finds that all concerns and allegations reviewed have been properly managed by the diocese.
The report found that there are 19 living priests about whom there have been child safeguarding concerns.
Of these, seven had been known about before Bishop Treanor was appointed in June 2008.
Two of these seven men had further historical allegations made against them after June 2008; and a further 12 diocesan priests also had historical allegations made against them since that time.
Bishop Treanor, therefore, has been responsible for ensuring that the cases of 14 living priests were and, if necessary, are being effectively managed.
The report notes that all 14 concerns/allegations have been properly managed. In the cases of seven of these men, investigation by the PSNI did not establish sufficient evidence on which a prosecution could be pursued, of which three had not met the Church’s threshold of a ‘semblance of truth’.
All of these seven priests are in good standing in the diocese, the report notes. Of the other seven, “all are currently out of ministry, of who one is in the criminal investigation process and one is in prison,” it adds.
The review of the case material indicates that current practice places an emphasis on a timely reporting of the concerning information.
It noted the development of the diocesan Safeguarding Office brought about significant improvements in communication and cooperation with these important bodies.
The diocese is specifically commended in the report for having developed a specific piece of guidance on whistle blowing something which the reviewers had not encountered in the course of reviews elsewhere.
Ultimately, the report notes that Down and Connor is very well supported by approximately 470 committed, trained and enthusiastic volunteers who together make up an effective safeguarding structure.
Cashel and Emly
Priests accused: 13
Allegations: 19
Convictions: 0
Criteria met fully: 43
Criteria met partially: 5
Criteria not met: 0
“There was no sign of complacency in the archdiocese,” according to the review, which also noted there was “evidence that safeguarding has consistently been on the agenda of Archbishop Clifford and his safeguarding personnel for a number of years”.
In terms of complaints, the diocese has “a relatively small number in comparison to other dioceses”.
Allegations of sexual abuse were made against six living priests and an allegation of physical abuse against one living priest. The reviewers examined all case files including allegations against deceased priests. Of the living priests following civil authority notification and Church inquiries, five are currently in ministry and two are out of ministry, as Archbishop Clifford believes that based on the evidence that there is a semblance of truth to the allegations in relation to these two priests. The report states that reviewers support the position of the five living priests who are in ministry and agree that the allegations “were not substantiated or based on evidence that there was or is current risk to children”.
In the view of the reviewers all allegations are now “promptly referred to the civil authorities, usually within 3 days of receipt by the diocese”.
There is, however, one area where written guidance needs to be more explicit and that relates to safety plans. The reviewers noted that written safety plans are in place in case files, but “there is an absence of guidance on these within the policy document”.
In spite of this the review team concluded that they “are satisfied that the production, dissemination and implementation of the revised policy document in relation to all other requirements now meets the necessary standard”.
In terms of other criteria only partially met, the audit found that there needs to be greater formality of Church processes, the engagement and participation of children is to be applauded and should be developed further, while support for and profile of victims in the work needs to be developed and formalised.
Ultimately reviewers felt that while all aspects of advice and support are not fully implemented there is “a real willingness to share ideas, learn from best practice and reflect on how to improve the services offered to victims and perpetrators of abuse”.
Diocese of Achonry
Priests accused: 11
Allegations: 15
Convictions: 0
Criteria met fully: 36
Criteria met partially: 10
Criteria not met: 2
Considerable progress has been made since Bishop Brendan Kelly was appointed at the end of 2007.
The diocese did not have a safeguarding policy or systematic process for managing information prior to 2008, and the reviewers commended the efforts made by the diocese since then to set up procedures. However, the work has not been fully documented or co-ordinated and the board recommended the diocese develop a strategic plan.
The reviewers found numerous examples of circumstances, prior to Bishop Kelly’s appointment, where there were long delays in communicating information on possible abuse to the civil authorities. The national board found that his predecessor, Bishop Thomas Flynn, “did not respond appropriately to allegations of risk or to victims”.
The reviewers said they are satisfied that the gaps in previous practice have been addressed and the necessary structures are now in place.
The review states that it is clear from the diocese’s safeguarding document that the bishop and the diocese are “fully committed to child safeguarding”, but the reviewers saw no reference to a procedure for dealing with respondent priests or other diocesan personnel beyond initial reporting to the civil authorities.
The issue of management of priests and religious from outside the diocese was also raised as being problematic, with cases of allegations being made against a priest of a religious order and two priests from abroad who had retired in the area. The diocese now has a register of visiting priests and Bishop Kelly must establish their good standing.
One of the priorities now for the diocese is to create a centralised system in the bishop’s office for the storage of vetting information, and the development of a mandate for ‘whisleblowing’ by staff or volunteers.
While the board found a “high degree of commitment” to training, it felt the burden on one trainer was “considerable” and recommended an additional training resource.
The reviewers were impressed by the commitment and competence of the child safeguarding parish representatives, and praised Bishop Kelly for his proactive leadership.
St Patrick’s Missionary Society (Kiltegans)
Priests accused: 14
Allegations made: 50
Convictions: 1
Criteria met fully: 25
Criteria met partially:12
Not applicable: 11
In total, the Kiltegan Fathers has already implemented nine of the report 14 recommendations and the implementation of the remaining five is well advanced.
These included outlining clear policy on managing those who pose a risk to children, having a robust process for recording allegations and a process for dealing with them, and implementing guidelines and training on appropriate behaviour towards children.
Commenting on the review, Kiltegan Society Leader Fr Seamus O’Neill, apologised “unreservedly” to all of those who have been abused by members and renewed its commitment to reach out to survivors. While the report did note progress in the society’s efforts to establish good practice, Fr O’Neill accepted that it also pointed out some failures in approach.
On assessing case files, reviewers expressed concern that abuse identified outside Ireland “has not in every case given rise to an appropriate and robust response”.
One priest was dismissed from the clerical state at his own request, which was the only way in which this could happen while the Society was under the jurisdiction of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith.
It is believed he may have abused at least 50 victims since 1966 and to date the society has made contact with 34 of them.
The reviewers accepted the logistical difficulty in identifying and tracing adults who might have been abused in childhood in locations where there are rudimentary communications technologies and where there may not be cultural acceptance and support for coming forward as a victim of clerical sexual abuse.
The review said it appears that there were failures on the part of authority within the society to always ensure that the adopted policies and disciplinary code of the organisation and the church as a whole was adhered to.
Accused priests were afforded too much tolerance and so found it too easy to avoid being held accountable for their actions.
Christian Brothers
Brothers accused:325
Allegations: 870
Convictions: 12
Criteria met fully: 42
Criteria met partially: 5
Not applicable: 1
A review of the congregation’s files found that its initial response to the need to report abuse to the authorities was not systematic and was inadequate. Allegations were made against 325 brothers – only 50 of whom are still alive – with 870 complaints of abuse in the 38-year period, all of which have been reported to authorities.
One brother was returned to ministry after an investigation. The board described the level of abuse from members of the congregation as substantial.
“The number of convictions by the courts, compared to the numbers accused of child abuse, is significantly small,” the review found.
The Christian Brothers point out that the number of child sexual abuse complaints received prior to the 1990s was relatively small.
In the 66 years between 1931 and 1997, the Christian Brothers received 92 allegations of abuse but in the subsequent 15 years, from 1998 to this year, they received 794 allegations. Since internal reviews in 2007 and 2009, the safeguarding board said it is now satisfied that reports are made promptly.
“In reaching this point in its development as a safe organisation to work with children and young people, the safeguarding practices of the Province of the Christian Brothers have evolved considerably,” the board found.
The Christian Brother said “we want to learn from the mistakes of the past and to create a safe environment for all children and young adults”.
While not part of the remit of the review, the report revealed that there are now just 267 Christian Brothers in Ireland with an average age of 74. The congregation is currently present in 25 other countries throughout the world.