UNION NEWS
Spiritan Audit / Statement
Date : Monday, 17th September 2012
Date : Monday, 17th September 2012The Irish Province of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit initiated a review of its compliance with Safeguarding Children Standards and Guidance Document for the Catholic Church in Ireland. This review was conducted by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI) and covered the period from 1975 to 2012. It has now been completed and its report was published on the 5th September 2012.
A full copy of the report can be found on this link.
http://www.spiritan.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/PublicStatement050912.pdf
Following the publication of the report the Spiritans issued the statement below:
The Spiritans fully accept the findings of the review and will implement all of its recommendations.
The review relates the stark reality of abuse perpetrated by members of the Irish Spiritans in a 50-year period, from the earliest recorded instance, in 1944, to the most recent, in 1994. Commenting on it, outgoing Provincial of the Congregation, Fr Brian Starken C.S.Sp. said “What happened to these victims and their families is inexcusable. As a religious Congregation we are filled with shame but our shame cannot compare with the immense suffering and hurt experienced by victims and their loved ones.”
Fr Starken continued “We acknowledge the failure of the Congregation to protect and safeguard at all times those who were confided to our care or who put their trust in us. Even at this late stage, we urge anyone who has suffered abuse by any Spiritan, living or dead, who has been unable, for whatever reason, to make that known to us to please contact us. Our congregation is committed to finding ways of reaching out to victims and participating in a process of healing with all those whose lives have been traumatised by abuse.’ He added that: “We apologise unreservedly to those abused, hurt or damaged by any Spiritan and we seek to participate fully in the process of justice and healing.”
We can never fully repair the damage and hurt of the victims of abuse by Spiritans. We acknowledge our failure in not responding adequately to victims and their families.
The Province is satisfied that all the appropriate procedures and necessary protections are in place today and has committed to another review within the next five years. We would like to assure everybody that all our works and communities apply rigorous standards for child protection as laid down by the Health Service Executive, the Department of Education and Skills, the Catholic Church inIreland, and the Congregation’s own policy. As the Patron of five secondary and three junior schools we constantly work with management, staff and parents to ensure that these schools continue to be safe places where children can learn and grow in maturity and faith.
The Spiritans in Ireland renew their firm ongoing commitment to work with the NBSCCCI and all statutory bodies to ensure the highest possible standards regarding the protection of children and vulnerable adults.
To all those who have suffered abuse by Spiritans or whose trust and confidence in us has been betrayed by this appalling legacy we offer our deepest apologies.
The Provincial Leadership Team
Notice for persons who may be affected by the Safeguarding Review of the Spiritans
Given the gravity of the report of the Safeguarding Review (Audit) and the impact it may have, the Spititans have invited anybody who has concerns or who may have been affected by it to contact them at their Provincial House:
Tel: +353 1 497 7230
They have available a team of 4 counsellors – 2 male, 2 female – with Spiritan connections and will refer callers on as appropriate.
If you would prefer not to contact the Spiritans directly, you may prefer to contact:
A full copy of the report can be found on this link.
http://www.spiritan.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/PublicStatement050912.pdf
Following the publication of the report the Spiritans issued the statement below:
The Spiritans fully accept the findings of the review and will implement all of its recommendations.
The review relates the stark reality of abuse perpetrated by members of the Irish Spiritans in a 50-year period, from the earliest recorded instance, in 1944, to the most recent, in 1994. Commenting on it, outgoing Provincial of the Congregation, Fr Brian Starken C.S.Sp. said “What happened to these victims and their families is inexcusable. As a religious Congregation we are filled with shame but our shame cannot compare with the immense suffering and hurt experienced by victims and their loved ones.”
Fr Starken continued “We acknowledge the failure of the Congregation to protect and safeguard at all times those who were confided to our care or who put their trust in us. Even at this late stage, we urge anyone who has suffered abuse by any Spiritan, living or dead, who has been unable, for whatever reason, to make that known to us to please contact us. Our congregation is committed to finding ways of reaching out to victims and participating in a process of healing with all those whose lives have been traumatised by abuse.’ He added that: “We apologise unreservedly to those abused, hurt or damaged by any Spiritan and we seek to participate fully in the process of justice and healing.”
We can never fully repair the damage and hurt of the victims of abuse by Spiritans. We acknowledge our failure in not responding adequately to victims and their families.
The Province is satisfied that all the appropriate procedures and necessary protections are in place today and has committed to another review within the next five years. We would like to assure everybody that all our works and communities apply rigorous standards for child protection as laid down by the Health Service Executive, the Department of Education and Skills, the Catholic Church inIreland, and the Congregation’s own policy. As the Patron of five secondary and three junior schools we constantly work with management, staff and parents to ensure that these schools continue to be safe places where children can learn and grow in maturity and faith.
The Spiritans in Ireland renew their firm ongoing commitment to work with the NBSCCCI and all statutory bodies to ensure the highest possible standards regarding the protection of children and vulnerable adults.
To all those who have suffered abuse by Spiritans or whose trust and confidence in us has been betrayed by this appalling legacy we offer our deepest apologies.
The Provincial Leadership Team
Notice for persons who may be affected by the Safeguarding Review of the Spiritans
Given the gravity of the report of the Safeguarding Review (Audit) and the impact it may have, the Spititans have invited anybody who has concerns or who may have been affected by it to contact them at their Provincial House:
Tel: +353 1 497 7230
They have available a team of 4 counsellors – 2 male, 2 female – with Spiritan connections and will refer callers on as appropriate.
If you would prefer not to contact the Spiritans directly, you may prefer to contact:
- Towards Healing (a counselling service of the Catholic Church). Its Freephone Helpline is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 11.00 am – 8.00 pm, and on Fridays from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm. The Helpline is at: 1800 30 34 16 (from anywhere in the Republic of Ireland), and 0800 0963315 (from Northern Ireland or Britain). See www.towardshealing.ie
- One-in-Four – available from 9.30a.m. – 5.30p.m. daily. See www.oneinfour.ie
- The national 24-hour helpline run by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre - at Freephone 1800 77 88 88.
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