Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults
Introduction
The Diocese of East Anglia is committed to ensuring that the arena of safeguarding is a priority focus.
No form of abuse will be tolerated by diocesan authorities and I offer my assurance that the diocese will continue to work with all relevant civil authorities to ensure that best practice is followed, and that all cases will be addressed in accordance with civil and canonical legal processes.
As bishop of the Diocese of East Anglia, I declare a personal and collective commitment to ensuring that the highest standards are maintained regarding adherence to national safeguarding policies and procedures.
I wish to offer all victims and survivors the assurance that they are at the heart of our prayers. If anyone has a concern regarding safeguarding matters that involve the Diocese of East Anglia, I urge them to contact the diocesan safeguarding coordinator, who’s details are available on our website.
We are all children of God. In obedience to Christ, we are duty bound to protect and defend the value and dignity of every human person. Applying this duty to those who are most vulnerable must be forever our greatest concern, our greatest work.
Bishop Peter Collins.
Safeguarding and the Catholic Church in England and Wales
The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) has been established to advise on and audit the work of the Catholic Church in England and Wales as it develops the highest calibre regime of safeguarding. The CSSA Vision is “that the Catholic Church in England and Wales is a safe place for all. We work towards that vision by independently inspecting church bodies, and by sharing what we find. We are governed independently. We are here to offer assurance to the public and to drive up safeguarding standards in the Church. We want the Catholic Church to succeed at safeguarding, and succeed at keeping people safe. Our job is to hold it to account.”
In 2023, a Safeguarding Audit of the Diocese of East Anglia was published by CSSA, click here to download the Executive Summary.
Safeguarding and the Diocese of East Anglia
The Diocese of East Anglia is fully committed in making sure that all their Churches, Buildings and Communities are ‘safe spaces’ for all, not just children, young people and ‘adults at risk’. All should be able to worship and pursue their faith journey in safety.
Good communication is key to Safeguarding. People need to feel confident enough to raise Safeguarding concerns knowing that they will be listened to and who they need to direct those concerns to.
We recognise the importance of hearing the voices of victims and survivors of all types of abuse, not only those who have suffered through the Catholic Church. We would like to walk alongside them and support them through their journey. We are aware of the need to regularly review Safeguarding practices, so we do not become complacent. We believe that it is healthy to seek feedback from victims and survivors in order to remain focused and strive to do better.
We fully embrace the recommendations and findings of the various Independent Safeguarding enquiries and reviews that have taken place over the years within the Catholic Church in England and Wales. There is no place in the Church, or indeed society, for abuse. We will work alongside not only Clergy, Trustees, Staff, Volunteers and Lay people but also agencies such as the Police and the Local Authority to ensure that those who are at risk are protected and supported while those who present a risk are reported and dealt with accordingly.