Our Commitment to Safeguarding by the Bishops' Conference of Scotland:

"All Components of the Catholic Church in Scotland, especially those in positions of leadership and responsibility, value 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 in whatever capacity with the Church and its organisations.  And therefore, as a Church community, we accept that it is the responsibility of all of us - ordained, professed, employed and voluntary - to work together to protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse or harm."

 

The Safeguarding Team:

Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser &  Safeguarding Trainer

Caterina O'Connor MA(Hons), CQSW, Dip Child Protection, DipTraining Practice

Part Time: Mon - Thurs

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Safeguarding Administrators

Georgie Lanagan                      and                             Jillian Whalley BA Business Admin, Post Grad BSc IT           

Part Time: Mon, Wed & Fri                                          Part Time: Tues, Wed & Thurs

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

The need to reach out and offer care and solidarity to those who have suffered any kind of abuse at the hands of Church personnel is one that the Archdiocese takes extremely seriously. Indeed in recent years it has become a top priority for the Church in Glasgow at all levels.

The late Archbishop Tartaglia spent many hours meeting those who had suffered, learning from their pain and experiences and offering care and gentle understanding. He was determined that the Catholic Church in all its institutional forms should be a place of security, safety and support from for all, but especially for children and vulnerable adults.  We can do no better in expressing our faith and in honouring his legacy, than to continue and improve our contact with those who are experiencing this pain.

The publication of the updated safeguarding manual is a further milestone in the Church’s journey, but that journey requires daily outreach and care for anyone who has been abused in any way over the years. Our doors are open to anyone who has suffered any kind of abuse by clergy, employees or volunteers in the Church, past or present. That door will never close.  We are committed to offering the best support possible to anyone who seeks our help.

I want to offer my assurance that our efforts will never slacken, our resolve will never waver.  We strive for our Church to be a safe Church and we will do all in our power to ensure it ever remains so.

Yours devotedly

To discuss in confidence how we may be able to help you call: Caterina O’Connor, Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, Tel: 0141 226 5898. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or write to The Safeguarding Advisor, Archdiocese of Glasgow, Safeguarding Office, 196 Clyde St, Glasgow, G1 4JY

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child or adult and believe them to be at immediate risk, do not delay in contacting the Police and/or Social Work Services (Telephone: 0300 343 1505)

It is the policy of the Catholic Church in Scotland 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 dead.

If you are in any role within the Archdiocese of Glasgow, you must refer allegations directly to Caterina O’Connor (Safeguarding Adviser), unless someone is at immediate risk where you should contact the police and then follow up with the DSA.

You can also contact the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Service (SCSS) by telephoning 0141 332 7177 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.