Ms Sheree Limbrick and eight Vicars General from diocese across Australia. Photo: Supplied.
Catholic Professional Standards Ltd (CPSL) have now started their consultation process and will be meeting with Church sexual abuse survivors, their families and advocates next month.
The consultation started at the same time the organisation released its National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS).
“This three-month consultation process started at the end of April with the release of draft National Catholic Safeguarding Standards,” CEO of CPSL Ms Sheree Limbrick said.
Ms Limbrick also mentioned NCSS is available for written feedback on CPSL website.
In addition, CPSL has also met three significant groups namely Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA), Catholic Religious Australia Council members and Vicars General from Dioceses across Australia over the past week.
“This is all part of a concerted effort to hear from everyone who will be impacted by these new standards before they are finalised later in the year,” Ms Limbrick said.
CPSL Director of Safeguarding Ms Kate Eversteyn, who met with CSPA in Sydney encouraged parents to take active roles in keeping their children safe.
“One way of helping parents do this is by keeping CSPA and other school and parent organisations informed of our work and asking for feedback from parents on what makes a child safe,” Ms Eversteyn said.
“Our meeting with CSPL has been most informative, clarifying and helpful and will greatly inform our formal response to the draft National Catholic Safeguarding Standards,” CSPA Executive Officer John O’Brien said.
Mr O’Brien also said the national voice of parents whose children are in Catholic schools is well-heard in regards to issues in safe guarding their children.
Ms Limbrick’s meeting eight Vicars General also achieved favourable outcome, with all Vicars General showed their complete support for CSPL and the Standards.
“It was heartening to hear all the Vicars General voice their commitment to improve safeguarding practices and audit mechanism,” Ms Limbrick said.
Catholic Religious Australia has also stated their commitment to CSPL and its audit approach.
CSPL will continue its consultation with other several groups including heads of schools of theology, social services and health and aged care providers in the next months.
To comment on the CPSL draft National Catholic Safeguarding Standards go to www.cpsltd.org.au/safe-church/have-your-say/