Talks on abuse policy this week

By Patsy McGarry, Religious Affairs Correspondent
11/10/2004

The Catholic Church's steering group on Child Protection Policy is to meet management consultant Ms Maureen Lynott early this week.

Ms Lynott was chairwoman of the working group set up by the church last year to develop a comprehensive child protection policy for its institutions in Ireland.

It was sponsored by the Irish Bishops Conference, the Conference of Religious of Ireland and the Irish Missionary Union, all of which are represented on the steering group.

The working group disbanded on September 16th last following disagreement with the steering group over whether professionals or church leaders should make the final decision on how sex-abuse complaints were handled.

Members of the working group believed such a decision should rest with professionals. However the steering group, in particular its CORI representatives, believed such decision should rest with the relevant bishop or religious superior.

It is thought probable that Ms Lynott may be accompanied to this week's meeting by other members of the disbanded working group. It is known members of the group remain anxious that the church appoints a small number of designated professional people to whom all complaints of child abuse involving church personnel would be reported.

Such complaints would be immediately reported to the civil authorities with the relevant bishop/religious superior being informed as soon as possible.

They also believe the accused should be dealt with by the relevant bishop/religious superior in accordance with the church's own regulations, but that the relevant bishop/religious superior should also be obliged to consider the advice of the designated professional.

� The Irish Times