Year in Review 2020 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 17 ‘PUTTING CHILDREN FIRST’ ‘Putting Children First’ as the theme for Child Protection Sunday in 2020. “This annual celebration of our children is a reminder to all of us to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children in every aspect of church and community life,” said Fr Brian Boyle, Chair of the diocesan Professional Standards Committee. “The protection of children and vulnerable adults is very much a priority and commitment of every local Catholic parish and agency in the Diocese ... We are all responsible for our precious children and the vulnerable adults in our midst,” he said. The diocesan Safeguarding Committee meets regularly to advise the Bishop on Safeguarding matters and to ensure the Diocese provides the best environment possible for children and vulnerable adults. In 2020 the Committee completed a substantial review of diocesan and parish safeguarding policies and practices. In every Church of the Diocese a person can easily find a series of posters and policy statements relating to Safeguarding issues. Parish Safeguarding Committees work with their local priest and the diocesan Child Safety Officer to ensure compliance with safeguarding policies. “The recent Royal Commission laid bare the appalling level of abuse, of cover-up and neglected responsibilities in the Australian Catholic Church. As submissions to the Plenary Council have also made clear, many people feel hurt, angry and betrayed. Voices are calling for greater accountability and transparency in Church life. Specifically, these voices call for responsibility on the part of Church leaders for those persons whose lives have been broken by abuse; for recognition of the hurt and betrayal felt by those wounded by abuse; and recognition of the devastating trauma abuse has caused, not only for victims but for their wider families. The Sandhurst Diocese has a zero tolerance for child abuse,” said Fr Boyle. “As we celebrate our children, it is clear what they need: safety, love, freedom from harm, joy, freedom to play, and a safe environment. Children have the right to speak and to be heard. Children have the right to be empowered. What we want is to nurture, protect, inspire, and teach every child and for every child to reach their full potential,” said Fr Boyle. LEADERSHIP & STRUCTURE “We want to nurture, protect, inspire and teach every child.” Very Rev. Brian Boyle In August 2020, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and Catholic Religious Australia published a comprehensive study of the practices and possibilities for diocesan and parish governance and management. Commissioned in response to recommendations of the final report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (December 2017), the study was undertaken by the implementation Advisory Group, made up of local and international experts. ‘Light from the southern cross’ report The Report included 86 recommendations of its own, which have widely been accepted as ‘doable’ and can be implemented at a parish level. Bishop Shane Mackinlay said Many of these recommendations will be significant nationally and will be a valuable contribution to the ongoing discernment during our preparation for the Plenary Council.
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