CHILD PROTECTION
OUR CHILDREN, OUR CHURCH

In December 2005 a new 'one-church' approach to child protection was adopted by the Catholic Church in Ireland.
Entitled 'Our Children, Our Church', this 110 page policy document aims to ensure that the same principles and procedures for safeguarding children and for responding to allegations or suspicions of child abuse operate at every level and in every place throughout the Church in Ireland.
The care and protection of children is the responsibility of the whole Church and is a requirement that applies regardless of the nature of the Church activities in which children are involved.  Everyone who participates in the life of the Church has a role to play in creating an environment in which children can develop and be safe.
A further aim of the one-Church policy is to create a secure and supportive atmosphere in which those who have suffered abuse can disclose this to a trusted person in the expectation of a sensitive, caring and compassionate response.