Safeguarding
Our Safeguarding Culture
Everyone in the Catholic Church in Scotland – especially those in positions of leadership and responsibility – values the lives, wholeness, safety and well-being of each individual person within God’s purpose for everyone.
We seek to uphold the highest safeguarding standards in our relationships with people of all ages who are involved with the Church and its organisations.
As a Church community, we accept that it is the responsibility of all of us – ordained, professed, employed and volunteer lay people – to work together to uphold these safeguarding standards that have been designed to protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse or harm.
In God’s Image – v2, page 3
To the victims of abuse, and of sexual abuse in particular, who feel neglected and maybe abused a second time by the sins of omission and a conspiracy of silence, the Diocese of Galloway pledges solidarity and support.
In God’s Image (Version 2)
The Catholic Church in Scotland is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all of those who worship in our churches. To aid in ensuring this and to ensure a consistent approach the Bishops of Scotland have prepared and published guidelines which all parishes and volunteers are required to ensure they adhere to. These guidelines are In God’s Image. The Bishop’s Conference website describes the document as:
On 19th March 2018 the Bishops of Scotland unanimously committed to the new Safeguarding standards set out in the policy document IN GOD’S IMAGE. It was published as an “Instruction on Safeguarding for implementation in all Catholic canonical jurisdictions in Scotland and by all other groups and organisations in Scotland subject to a legitimate canonical authority of the Catholic Church.” It was originally published “ad experimentum” for a period of three years to give time for its contents to be reviewed in the light of experience and evolving guidance.
IN GOD’S IMAGE version 2 (IGIv2) has emerged from a 9-month period of consultation, reflection and discussion among many who have direct experience and expertise in the front line of the Church’s safeguarding practice. Significantly, this experience includes responding to the hurt and anguish of those who have suffered abuse at the hands of clergy, religious and others working within the Catholic Church.
IGIv2 makes reference to key statements made by Pope Francis and to instructions and norms published by the Holy See in recent years. It also takes into account evolving changes to the PVG scheme in Scotland. The work of the Independent Review Group and recommendations from independent audits of safeguarding in Scottish dioceses have also had a bearing on this revised version. The final text of IGIv2 was ratified unanimously by the Bishops of Scotland at an online meeting held on Tuesday 6th July 2021. It came into effect on 8th September 2021, the feast of the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Resources
To find out more about our commitment to Safeguarding and to read additional resources, please follow the links below.
Annual Safeguarding Statement
October 2024
As part of the framework laid out in In God’s Image Dioceses are required to complete an annual audit of Safeguarding practices within the Diocese. The summary finding of the audit are made available in the Annual Safeguarding Statement.
Safeguarding Culture of Care Leaflet
This leaflet is provided by the Bishop’s Conference of Scotland and summarises our Safeguarding commitments, duties, responsibilities, and also provides useful contact information for raising a Safeguarding concern.
Safeguarding Matters
The Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (SCSSA) produce a regular newsletter informing readers of the work they do around safeguarding and the Church. The SCSSA is responsible for overseeing safeguarding, providing training and continuous improvement to ensure the church’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding. Archive editions of their newsletter can be found on their website.
