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Safeguarding Services Agreement 2024
RELIGIOUS LIFE GROUP AND THE DIOCESE
Religious Life Group (RLG) is an Institute of Consecrated Life or Society of Apostolic Life which operates a parish or parishes in which the Church and any associated parish properties are owned by the RLG charitable trust and which is/are located within the geographical area covered by the Diocese.
The Diocese is a Catholic diocese within the Catholic Church of England and Wales led by a Diocesan Bishop.
UNDER CANON LAW
RLG Parishes operate with the permission of the relevant Diocesan Bishop, who also has doctrinal oversight of the RLG Parish. However, the parties acknowledge and agree that this ecclesiastical communion of the RLG Parish does not place on the Diocesan Bishop or the Diocese any responsibility in civil law for the operations of the RLG Parishes.
MODE OF OPERATION
The parties acknowledge and agree that the RLG is responsible for all aspects of the operation of the RLG Parish, including ensuring that all relevant safeguarding obligations are met. Accordingly, the RLG has appointed the Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS) to provide safeguarding services to the RLG to help the RLG to comply with its duties.
REASON FOR THE AGREEMENT
The RLG is not able to provide the RLG Parishes with all the safeguarding support they require and so, to promote the highest standards of safeguarding, the Diocese has agreed to work with the RLG to ensure effective safeguarding arrangements are implemented in RLG Parishes. So the agreement is to formalise this relationship with the intention of clarifying the roles and responsibilities of each party.
RELIGIOUS LIFE GROUP'S OBLIGATIOnS
The RLG is ultimately responsible for all aspects of the operation of the RLG Parish, including for safeguarding.
The RLG is responsible for nominating a member of the RLG community to act as the parish priest and where required, another member of the community to act as assistant priest. In reliance upon the RLG's nominations accordance with the Canon Law, the Diocesan Bishop will grant faculties to the Parish Priest and any assistant priest (s).
DBS UPDATES
The RLG shall ensure that:
a) the Parish Priest is in good standing, holds a celebret, and has a valid enhanced DBS check which is refreshed by the RLG at least every three (3) years.
b) Any other members of the RLG community residing in the RLG Parish are in good standing, receive regular safeguarding training, and have an enhanced DBS check which is refreshed by the RLG at least every three (3) years.
c) the Parish Priest and any other members of the RLG community ministering in the RLG Parish attend (or if online, complete) the safeguarding training arranged by the Diocese for parish clergy and all members of the RLG community receive regular safeguarding training.
Updates on Safeguarding Services Agreement in progress.......
The Friar Servants of Mary (Servites) uphold the safety of children as paramount.
In October 2016 the Prior Provincial of The Friar Servants of Mary (Servites) in Ireland signed up to the Safeguarding Children: Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland 2016 and procedures based on associated Guidance. This Policy was adopted by all constituent bodies of the Catholic Church in Ireland in December 2015.
In October 2014 we invited the National Board for Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI) to audit our safeguarding policy and practice. The NBSCCCI published this review on Feb 10th 2015. A copy of the review can be downloaded here. Since then in accordance with the recommendations of the NBSCCCI Review Report, the Order has revised its safeguarding structure and appointed key safeguarding personnel. We renew our commitment to work in partnership with the NBSCCCI and civil authorities to strive towards the highest level of child safeguarding practices in all our Servite ministries and locations on the island of Ireland.
On behalf of the Servite Order, I apologise unreservedly for the hurt caused to persons by any of our friars and for their betrayal of the trust placed in them.
Anyone who may have safeguarding concerns regarding the Servite Friars is invited to contact our Designated Liaison Person (DLPs) whose contact details are provided elsewhere on this site.
Signed: Colm Mc Glynn OSM Provincial Delegate for Safeguarding in Ireland
