A message from Bishop Michael McKenna
Looking forward to a better future
Dear Friends in Christ,
In my Lenten Message of 2017, I asked for our local church to become a community ready to listen to, accompany and assist those among us who suffered childhood sexual abuse in our schools, orphanages and parishes.
We cannot undo the past: we can only do our best in the present, for a better future.
May I invite anyone who has been living with these painful memories and now feels ready to talk about them to begin by contacting our Professional Standards Office on 02 9287 1542. There is also a complaints line on 1300 369 977. They will respect your privacy and the pace at which you wish to proceed.
This invitation is also for those who have engaged with this process in the past, but would like to reconnect, as healing can be a life-long journey.
I understand that some survivors feel so betrayed by church people and institutions that it would be difficult, even impossible, for them to trust us again. I do understand, and can only offer a humble prayer that they would find another way that leads to healing and hope.
Michael McKenna
Bishop of Bathurst
Safeguarding
The commitment to safeguarding, and the implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission, is a priority for the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst.
Bishop McKenna established a safeguarding committee from all agencies of the Diocese, to assist in the implementation and development of best practice child protection strategies in parishes, schools, Centacare and all other Diocesan entities.
A focus has been placed on parish training, with Safe Church Awareness Workshops being rolled out across the Diocese. Each parish has had at least one workshop run in their parish. These are timed to allow those in ministry in parishes to be involved.
Workshops have been attended by all priests, deacons and seminarians in active ministry and also by lay people. Thousands of hours of training have been provided through these workshops.
In our parishes and agencies, there is an on-going process of training and development. Schools complete annual training in this area, and our active clergy have completed a session on Child Protection and Schools.
As we maintain our work to protect the young and vulnerable, it is important to continue to live each day, the vision of care and responsibility given to us by Jesus, and guided by state and national bodies.
Safeguarding Policy
The safeguarding policy statement is approved by Bishop Michael McKenna for mandatory implementation across the Diocese and its agencies. To view the policy detail please visit our policies page here.
Mandatory Reporting
In NSW, mandatory reporting obligations have been extended to people in religious ministry and people providing religious based activities to children. This means that clergy and many agency and parish personnel who work with children are now mandatory reporters.
- WHAT KIND OF CONDUCT? A mandatory reporter must make a report when they have reasonable grounds to suspect that a child or young person is at risk of significant harm.
- WHO ARE MANDATORY REPORTERS? In NSW, mandatory reporters include persons who deliver services wholly or partly to children as part of their professional work or other paid employment and those in management positions in organisations that deliver those services. It also includes persons in religious ministry or persons providing religious based activities to children in both paid and unpaid child related roles.
- HOW TO REPORT: Mandatory reporters are required to report to the Department of Communities and Justice via the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111 or through the ChildStory Reporter website: https://reporter.childstory.nsw.gov.au/s/. You must also contact the relevant agency Safeguarding Officer. For support in making a report, contact a Safeguarding Officer:
Safeguarding Officers:
Parishes:
p: 02 6334 6400
e: safeguarding@cdob.org.au
Education:
p: 02 6338 3000
e: safeguarding@bth.catholic.edu.au
Professional Social Services:
p: 02 6331 8944
e: safeguarding@centacarebathurst.com.au
Safe Church Awareness Workshops (SCAW)
The Safe Church Awareness Workshop (SCAW) training provides education and tools to foster safe environments within church communities.
The training equips attendees with the knowledge to protect vulnerable people, including children, the elderly, and those with disabilities, while promoting a culture of transparency, accountability, and collaboration.
The main areas covered include:
Framework of a Safe Church: Addresses the importance of creating a structure where policies, procedures, and ethical guidelines protect everyone involved in church activities.
Safe People: Discusses recognising and responding to various forms of abuse, including physical, emotional, spiritual, and sexual abuse
Safe Leaders: Emphasises the role of church leaders in maintaining professional boundaries, accountability, and proper oversight.
Safe Environments: Focuses on creating spaces that are welcoming, inclusive, and protective for all participants, with particular attention to vulnerable groups.
Being part of this training ensures that individuals in ministry can confidently contribute to a safer and more inclusive church community, aligning with the broader mission of care and integrity in the Diocese. Details of upcoming workshops can be found here.
Register for a Safe Church Awareness Workshop here.