Bathurst Diocese has successfully completed its diocesan safeguarding audit with Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd, recognising that there is a deep commitment to safeguarding within the diocese.
The National Catholic Safeguarding Standards audit was completed by Integroe Partners, an approved NCSS auditor on ACSL’s Auditor Register, which reviewed the diocese’s safeguarding practices.
Commenting on the report’s release, ACSL chief executive officer Ursula Stephens congratulated Bathurst Diocese on its efforts to foster a culture of safeguarding across its parishes and ministries.
“The safeguarding audit is about much more than compliance with regulation,” Dr Stephens said.
“The NCSS give effect to the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and demonstrate how the Catholic Church is responding to the recommendation of the Royal Commission that religious organisations adopt and implement the National Child Safe Standards.
“The NCSS address the context of safeguarding children and adults at risk in the Catholic Church in Australia, and include guidance on formation, support for overseas trained priests to understand Australian safeguarding requirements, and the unique power imbalances that can occur in ministry environments.”
Dr Stephens said ACSL was pleased that Bathurst Diocese, which she said had a “longstanding commitment to being a safe Church for all” chose an external auditor for the review.
“It is important that Catholic organisations open themselves up to a safeguarding audit, and that this is an independent review,” she said.
The report includes some recommendations made to strengthen the safeguarding approach within the diocese and to provide a path for continuous improvement.
The full safeguarding audit report for the Diocese of Bathurst is available on ACSL’s website.
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