CHILD SAFEGUARDING
On September 3, Minister for Education Norma Foley rightly said the level of abuse disclosed in a scoping inquiry report into cases of sexual abuse at several schools run by religious orders spanning several decades was "truly shocking".
Many people who have been educated in Spiritan schools, including St Mary’s, have come forward to tell the truth about the safeguarding failures they suffered.
We would like to reassure them that they have our respect and our support, and that we have reported and will continue to report any past histories of abuse and child safeguarding concerns to the appropriate authorities.
We recognise that, within St Mary's and in other places, evil acts happened in the past. Some who were trusted by parents to act as Christian educators of their children, failed in these duties, and committed acts that were both sinful and criminal.
Those of us who work now in schools are grateful for the generosity of those who have come forward to seek better standards of care for succeeding generations. In the event that there are future safeguarding failures, which we hope never happens, St Mary’s is committed to welcoming those who tell the truth and to seek to ensure that they are shown respect and hospitality.
We will all strive to ensure that their testimony is seen as a gift and a contribution to the St Mary’s community.