The failure of some religious orders to introduce protective protocols for children

Being “appalled” is not good enough. Failure by seven out of nine religious congregations operating in the Dublin archdiocese to apply strict oversight measures to protect children from sexual abuse requires some form of disciplinary action. The congregations operate under the patronage of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and his displeasure should be made evident.

Dr Martin was rightly appalled by findings from the National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC) that, in spite of decades of scandal and promises of change, major religious orders had yet to implement the protective protocols drawn up by the church-based organisation. Recent years have seen bishops removing paedophile priests from ministry; opening diocesan records; contacting the civil authorities and introducing child safety awareness programmes. But a disconnect appears to have developed where religious orders/congregations were concerned. There, while progress was made, a comprehensive change in culture was patchy, at best.

A composite press release from the NBSC appeared to pull its punches. It expressed disappointment that safeguarding procedures were “only being bedded down in the last couple of years” while reporting of allegations to civil authorities by some orders “didn’t improve until 2013”. But individual reports on the shortcomings of these organisations displayed a much bleaker, less reassuring picture. Protection of children was very much a work in progress.

Dr Martin intends to meet the religious superiors of these organisations and ensure that Dublin diocesan child safety norms are applied in future. Victims of abuse trying to regain their confidence in the church would, he said, be disillusioned once again by these critical reports. He went on to quote§ Pope Francis on the need to reassure parents that the church would protect their children. The archbishop’s dismay was understandable, in view of his trenchant views on this issue, compared to some of his colleagues. The protection of children from sexual predators is not an optional extra and prevarication should not be tolerated. Those who neglected their duty should be held to account.

Eamon Mc Cann