STATEMENT
Good morning everybody and welcome, thank you for joining us this morning.
The diocese welcomes today’s publication of the audit Report for Ferns diocese. I
extend my gratitude to the National Office for Safeguarding Children for
accepting our invitation to come to Ferns and undertake this review.
At the outset, I would like to acknowledge how the publication of the Report may
occasion the re-awakening of pain and hurt among those who have suffered
sexual abuse at the hands of some priests of the Diocese of Ferns.
I again apologise unreservedly for the failings that led to such pain and hurt. As
Bishop Eamonn Walsh said in 2005 “There are no excuses for what happened in
the past. However, the most effective response to what cannot be changed in
the past is what we are doing today, and what we will do in the future”.
I accept the findings and recommendations of this Report and I welcome it as
yet another step on our diocesan journey towards achieving best practice and
healing.
The positive findings in today’s Report reflect the combined efforts of the
following groups who assist – and have assisted – the diocese over the past
decade.
• The Diocesan Advisory Panel which is composed of therapeutic, managerial,
social services, legal (civil and canonical) personnel.
• The Inter Agency Group – Gardai, HSE, and Diocesan Office Team – which
meets regularly to discuss safeguarding matters.
• The Diocesan Safeguarding Committee – made up of lay and clerical members.
• The Parish Representative – 93 lay volunteers operating all over the diocese.
• The team at the Diocesan Offices at Summerhill.
• The National Office in Maynooth.
• The Holy See.
The recommendations and directives of all the above groups have been fully
accepted and implemented.
I attribute the positive nature of our Report to the combined efforts and talents
of all the people mentioned -focused in a systematic way – on all aspects of Child
Safeguarding in our diocese.
I thank the priests and people of the diocese for their support and co-operation
at local level.
The diocese has noted the recommendations in the Report. Numbers 1 and 4
have already been implemented. Numbers 2 and 3 are being addressed in
consultation with the National Office.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sr. Helen O’Riordan who has just
completed her term as Outreach Co-Ordinator for the diocese and whose work is
highly commended in the Report. Over the past ten years Sr. Helen has worked
tirelessly at local and national level in developing and implementing new and
progressive safeguarding policies. For this, I say a genuine word to thanks to her
today.
Safeguarding remains an ongoing priority in our diocese, so as I bid farewell to
Sr. Helen, I publicly welcome her successor, Colette O’Doherty.
I wish Colette well in what is a very important and demanding role, co-ordinating
all our efforts to create a safe environment for children and young people, to
participate in Church activities in the Diocese of Ferns.
Ends
Notes:
• The report is available in full on the diocesan website – www.ferns.ie
• Diocesan Delegate: Marian Stack, Mobile: 0851055992
Email:marianstack@hotmail.com
• Assistant Delegate: Fr Denis Lennon 053-9124417
• Outreach Support Person: Colette O Doherty, Office: 0539174972, Mobile:
0879474513, Email: coletteodoherty@ferns.ie