Tim Hazelwood: Concern over impact of new safeguarding regulations on priests and deacons.
The Association of Catholic Priests offers support to priests when faced with difficulties and we also look at Church policies and how them impact the lives and wellbeing of priests and religious. Recently we became aware of a new and what we think is a disturbing change of policy.
In 2024, the Irish Bishops published its new child safeguarding programme “A Safe and Welcoming Church” replacing the 2014 “Child Safeguarding Policy and Standards”. On reading the new document we became aware that any mention of financial support for a priest (or deacon) when accused or under investigation was no longer present.
We contacted the National Board requesting clarification re entitlements of the accused and we received the following reply:
“During the initial meeting the respondent would be offered the services of an advisor along with a list of civil and canon lawyers. Financial assistance for canonical or legal advice is at the discretion of the Bishop.”
We responded by asking where this advice could be found in the document. This time the reply was now much different:
“It is not contained in the NBSCCCI guidance that the financial supports made available to the respondent are at the discretion of the bishop. You might consider seeking the opinion of a canon lawyer to better answer your query.”
The reason we asked the question is because we find that no support is being made available to the accused and it is being left to the individual and their families to fund legal and canonical cases. Recently, we heard of a family paying over £40,000 to help a priest defend himself.
It poses important questions…
- Is this the new official policy of the Irish Bishops?
- The policy names priests and deacons. What does this mean for married deacons with children, those with mortgages? Are they aware of this change of policy? Can they afford to defend themselves if an accusation is made against them?
We call on the Irish Bishops to clarify the official position and to inform the Irish faithful, who are praying for vocations.
Tim Hazelwood
On behalf of the ACP.
Excellent and Well researched Article, Fr. Tim.
With Regard to Secular Priests, some may have funds or access to same, to support themselves, others may not.
A member of a religious order will have taken a vow of poverty and, unless they have family who can help out, they could be in trouble.
Innocent until Proven Guilty. Pope Leo XIV said this in relation to Fr. Rupnik. Fine.
Bishops, Abbots, etc must support accused Clergy. One Priest, to whom I owe the fact that I still have my Faith, was falsely accused. Deo Gratias, he was cleared.