What is Safeguarding?"Being loved and being kept safe go to the very core of the Church’s Ministry to children and vulnerable adults. The work of safeguarding has to be seen within the overall mission of the Church.
As she seeks to protect the vulnerable and weak, the Church needs to ‘act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with God’. (Micah 6:8). It is a ministry of love and healing and seeks justice for all." - Pope Francis |
Reporting Abuse
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child or adult at risk, do not delay in contacting the police, using 999 if a child or adult is believed to be in immediate danger.
It is the policy of the Catholic Church in England and Wales to report all allegations of abuse to statutory authorities, regardless of whether the abuse occurred recently or in the past, or whether the accused person is living or deceased.
If you are in any role within the Catholic Church in England and Wales, you must refer allegations directly to the safeguarding office for your diocese or religious congregation, or directly to the Police.
If you are a member of the public, please refer allegations directly to the police and also to our safeguarding coordinator Janice Pearson on 07887 990 385 or at [email protected]
The parish recognises and follows the CSAS (Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service) policies and procedures and there is a rigorous process to ensure the best safeguarding practice. All people who undertake any roles within the Parish relating to the vulnerable and children must undergo stringent DBS vetting clearances.
Safeguarding in the Clifton Diocese
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
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.
Our parish safeguarding representative is Bruno Bubna-Kasteliz and can be contacted on [email protected].
The safeguarding office is located at Alexander House, 160 Pennywell Road, Bristol, BS5 0TX
Their website is: www.cliftondiocese.com/safeguarding and has a great deal of information and contact details.
General enquiries: 0117 954 0993
Email: [email protected]
Safeguarding Coordinator:
Janice Pearson
07887 990 385
[email protected]
National Catholic Safeguarding Commission
The National Catholic Safeguarding Commission (NCSC) was formed in July 2008 following the acceptance, by the Bishops Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW) and the Conference of Religious of England and Wales (CoR), of the recommendations in the Cumberlege Commission Report “Safeguarding with Confidence” (July 2007).
Further information about the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission can be found at
www.catholicsafeguarding.org.uk.
Safeguarding in the Catholic Church in England & Wales
The Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service is responsible for driving and supporting improvements in practice throughout the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Its primary role is one of co-ordination, advice and support in respect of safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk across the Church.
The Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS) was established in 2007 following acceptance by the Conference of Bishops and Conference of Religious of the Cumberlege Commission Report, “Safeguarding with Confidence”. CSAS reports to and provides expert advice to the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission on all safeguarding matters. CSAS provides support, advice and coordination to the twenty eight Safeguarding Commissions across England and Wales and their respective safeguarding offices.
Further information about Safeguarding in the Catholic Church in England & Wales can be found at www.csas.uk.net.
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child or adult at risk, do not delay in contacting the police, using 999 if a child or adult is believed to be in immediate danger.
It is the policy of the Catholic Church in England and Wales to report all allegations of abuse to statutory authorities, regardless of whether the abuse occurred recently or in the past, or whether the accused person is living or deceased.
If you are in any role within the Catholic Church in England and Wales, you must refer allegations directly to the safeguarding office for your diocese or religious congregation, or directly to the Police.
If you are a member of the public, please refer allegations directly to the police and also to our safeguarding coordinator Janice Pearson on 07887 990 385 or at [email protected]
The parish recognises and follows the CSAS (Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service) policies and procedures and there is a rigorous process to ensure the best safeguarding practice. All people who undertake any roles within the Parish relating to the vulnerable and children must undergo stringent DBS vetting clearances.
Safeguarding in the Clifton Diocese
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
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.
Our parish safeguarding representative is Bruno Bubna-Kasteliz and can be contacted on [email protected].
The safeguarding office is located at Alexander House, 160 Pennywell Road, Bristol, BS5 0TX
Their website is: www.cliftondiocese.com/safeguarding and has a great deal of information and contact details.
General enquiries: 0117 954 0993
Email: [email protected]
Safeguarding Coordinator:
Janice Pearson
07887 990 385
[email protected]
National Catholic Safeguarding Commission
The National Catholic Safeguarding Commission (NCSC) was formed in July 2008 following the acceptance, by the Bishops Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW) and the Conference of Religious of England and Wales (CoR), of the recommendations in the Cumberlege Commission Report “Safeguarding with Confidence” (July 2007).
Further information about the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission can be found at
www.catholicsafeguarding.org.uk.
Safeguarding in the Catholic Church in England & Wales
The Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service is responsible for driving and supporting improvements in practice throughout the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Its primary role is one of co-ordination, advice and support in respect of safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk across the Church.
The Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS) was established in 2007 following acceptance by the Conference of Bishops and Conference of Religious of the Cumberlege Commission Report, “Safeguarding with Confidence”. CSAS reports to and provides expert advice to the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission on all safeguarding matters. CSAS provides support, advice and coordination to the twenty eight Safeguarding Commissions across England and Wales and their respective safeguarding offices.
Further information about Safeguarding in the Catholic Church in England & Wales can be found at www.csas.uk.net.