Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Following the Plenary Meeting of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales this week, you will find below a Statement on Safeguarding that was issued today (20th) at 11.00am. The Statement will be included in our E-Bulletin today and I ask parish priests to ensure that the statement is made available in parish communications also.
I would ask you to read this statement with care and to continue your prayers for all who are survivors of abuse, especially those who have suffered as a result of the actions of clergy, religious and others working in the name of the Church. Please pray, too, for the work that lies ahead and that has been outlined in the statement.
I take this opportunity to thank all those who work in our own Diocese – in our Safeguarding Office, on our Diocesan Commission for Safeguarding and in our parish communities for all that is being done to continue developing a culture of safeguarding. This endeavour is vital in the life of the Church, for our parish communities must always be places of safety for all.
With the assurance of my prayers and with every blessing,
+Richard