In Clifton Diocese we are deeply committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all those entrusted to our care, especially the most vulnerable among us. The Church’s mission is to bring the light of Christ to the world, and we must be vigilant in protecting those who are at risk of harm. The sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults is a grave sin that deeply offends our Lord and causes immense harm to victims.
As the shepherd of this diocese, I take this responsibility very seriously and I am determined to do everything in my power to prevent such abuses from occurring and to respond swiftly and compassionately when they do.
To this end, we have implemented robust safeguarding policies and procedures throughout the diocese. It is the responsibility of everyone within the Diocese of Clifton to ensure our parishes and institutions are safe places, especially for those who are vulnerable. We have a zero tolerance to abuse, harm and any behaviour that falls short of appropriate safeguarding practices as expressed in National Policies from the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency.
We are also committed to fostering a culture of transparency and accountability within the Church in all our activities. Responding to those who come forward to report having suffered harm is a vital part of our mission and the Diocese is committed to being a welcoming and safe Church that is truly a beacon of light and hope for all.
We strive to support survivors and those who have been harmed by the Church, and we wish to work with survivors to improve standards further. We will listen and learn from every survivor/victim we work with.
May the grace of God strengthen us in this vital mission.
Bishop Bosco MacDonald, May 2024
Our parish safeguarding representatives are Mary Hopper and Paul Bradshaw-Price and can be contacted on psr.stnicholasoftolentino@cliftondiocese.com
The Diocesan safeguarding team supports the ministry of the Church by providing a professional and robust support around the protection of children, young people and adults at risk, to ensure that worshipping communities are safe places where all have a positive experience of the Church in which they feel loved, accepted and safe.
All issues will be dealt with in a sensitive and caring manner, in the strictest of confidence.
The dedicated safeguarding team work closely with other agencies including the Police, Probation, Social Services and comply with the standards that are set by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA). The CSSA has been set up as a professional standards body with regulatory powers which exist to regulate all Catholic Churches.
The safeguarding office is located at Alexander House, 160 Pennywell Road, Bristol, BS5 0TX
Their website is : www.cliftondiocese.com/depatments/safeguarding and has a great deal of information and contact details.
General enquiries: 0117 954 0993
Email: safeguarding@cliftondiocese.com
Safeguarding Coordinator:
Janice Pearson
07887 990 385
Janice.pearson@cliftondiocese.com
Every human being has a value and dignity which we as Catholics acknowledge as coming directly from God’s creation of male and female in his own image and likeness. This implies a duty to value all people and therefore to support them and protect them from harm. In the Catholic Church this is demonstrated by the provision of carefully planned activities for children, young people and adults; supporting families under stress; caring for those hurt by abuse in the past; ministering to and managing those who have caused harm.
It is because of these varied ministries that we need to provide a safe environment for all which promotes and supports their well-being. This will include carefully selecting and appointing those who work with children, young people or vulnerable adults and responding robustly where concerns arise.
All volunteers working with vulnerable groups must agree to adhere to the Catholic Church’s National Safeguarding Policies before they can be appointed.
The Parish Safeguarding Representatives have special responsibility for promoting good and safe practices in all activities involving children, young people and vulnerable adults within the parish. The Parish Safeguarding Representatives are the link between the parish and the diocese and as such is in regular contact with the Diocesan Safeguarding Co-ordinator and Diocesan Safeguarding Officer.
Our two Parish Safeguarding Representatives attend training sessions and have a sound knowledge of the policies and procedures and also who to contact. The Parish Safeguarding Representatives are involved in the recruitment of people to roles within the parish and have the responsibility for facilitating the Disclosure and Barring Service, (DBS – formerly known as CRB), pre-appointment vetting checks at parish level and ensuring that everybody who is required to go through the procedure does so.