Diocesan Safeguarding Conference
Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre.
15th May 2014.
L to R. Bishop Leo O’Reilly, Suzie Duffy, Anne Marie McSorley, Christy Dooley.
Bishop Leo O’Reilly and the Safeguarding Children personnel throughout the Diocese of Kilmore gathered at the Pastoral Centre, Cullies, Cavan for their Annual Safeguarding Children Conference, which took place on Thursday 15th May 2014. Personnel include clergy, parish safeguarding children representatives, parish recruitment committees, diocesan safeguarding children committee, advisory panel, pastoral assistants, parish youth officers, permanent deacons, diocesan advisors, care persons, trainers, Lourdes pilgrimage leaders, coordinator of safeguarding and designated liaison persons.
The purpose of the conference was threefold –
1 – To communicate the church’s safeguarding message.
2 – To introduce our updated policy and procedures manual and safeguarding children newsletter 2014.
3 – To thank parish and diocesan personnel, over who give of their time, energy and talent in Safeguarding Children and young people while they participate in church activities.
Guest speaker Ann Marie McSorley, iResource Training & Education, spoke about internet safety and how to keep our children and young people safe while online. While acknowledging the dangers of some on-line content, Ms McSorley highlighted the positive aspects of social media as a means of helping families stay in contact at little cost.
Bishop Leo thanked everyone, most sincerely, for their continued commitment to best practice in Safeguarding Children. In commending all concerned for their hard work in developing and implementing policies and procedures, that assured a safe environment for Children and vulnerable adults, he added that just because we are in a better position than heretofore this does not give room for complacency. The bishop emphasised that ‘documents alone cannot protect children, that will only be done by people on the ground’. Bishop O’Reilly urged everyone to continue to be vigilant in maintaining their high standards in this very important ministry to children and young people.
