Safeguarding
The Catholic Church is striving towards a culture of safeguarding where all are safe from harm and abuse. We are all encouraged to enjoy the fullness of life in Jesus Christ through nurturing, supportive and protective endeavours of the Church community, both individually and collectively. In order to create a culture of safeguarding we need to build a culture of trust, openness, transparency, responsibility and accountability.
The “National Guidelines for the Prevention of and Response to Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand” prescribes the commitment of the Church to have safeguarding measures in place in our organizations.
Creating safe environments involves active participation and responsibility taken by all parishes, Sanctuaries and Communities. It requires collaboration, vigilance, and a proactive approach through policies, procedures and practices.
Abuse can be sexual, physical, or emotional. The Church takes all complaints of abuse seriously. Where the complaint of abuse appears to be of a criminal nature, we encourage complainants to take the matter to the police, and will support them in doing so. If the alleged abuse is reported to the police, we will not protect the accused/offender from the processes of civil law nor hide the facts from those entitled to know.
The diocese already has several safeguarding measures in place, for example the Standards for Creating and Maintaining a Safeguarding Culture in Ministry and is rolling out an extensive programme of police vetting. We are working to strengthen these measures through the adoption of new policies and procedures.
Any person volunteering to help with children or vulnerable adults will be required to attend a safeguarding workshop and undergo a Police Vet.
For further information about safeguarding within the Sanctuary of Fourvière, please contact:
Michael Loretz
Director
Phone: 021 825 955
Email: director@fourviere.nz
For further information about safeguarding within the Community of the Beatitudes, please contact:
Sr Clare Lyons CB
Phone: 022 191 8208
Email: sr.clare@yahoo.co.nz
For further information about safeguarding within the diocese, please contact:
Clodagh Ward
Safeguarding Officer
Phone: 03 366 9869 (Office), Mobile: 022 012 4142
Email: cward@cdoc.nz
If you would like more Information, or to report abuse or concern of harm, please visit the website of the National Office for Professional Standards