Archbishop Tony Ireland has affirmed his commitment to ensuring all Catholic communities and workplaces within the Hobart Archdiocese are safe places for children and vulnerable people.
Archbishop Ireland released his Safeguarding Commitment Statement yesterday, pledging to continue the ongoing implementation of safeguarding measures across the archdiocese, a process that began in 2017 when Archbishop Julian Porteous first established the Safe Communities office.
In the lead up to the launch of his statement, Archbishop Ireland said safeguarding was “a whole of archdiocese commitment”.
“As Archbishop, I want to see all our people championing and leading in this area,” he said.
“Safeguarding has to be in our DNA (Diocesan Normal Awareness); it is not something added on or extra.
“Safeguarding has to be embedded in our systems and practices, it is to be part of the air we breathe and the culture we promote.
“Safeguarding is something we do as a response to the Lord’s call to love one another as he has loved us. His love never exploits or endangers. His love heals and empowers.”
Hobart Archdiocese’s director of professional standards, Kathy Tarte, said the statement had “reaffirmed for the Church and its entities on our enduring role to safeguard children, young people and adults at risk”.
“This is important as it informs everyone that we are deeply committed to keeping those in our care safe and that we have zero tolerance for any form of abuse,” she added.
“We’ve made strong progress on our safeguarding journey but there is always more that we can continuously improve.
“It is my hope that we continue to build on the progress that has already made and recognise that everyone has a role to play in keeping children, young people and adults at risk safe.”
Details: Archbishop’s Safeguarding Commitment Statement.
FULL STORY
Archbishop Tony affirms strong commitment to safeguarding (By Catherine Sheehan, Hobart Archdiocese)
