Safeguarding Sunday

Sunday, February 22, is Diocesan Safeguarding Sunday. It is the first Sunday of Lent and appopriately so, as we enter the Penitential Season and seek forgivenesss for past failings. In his address at the January Consistory Pope Leo XIV reminded all that ’abuse itself causes a deep wound, which may last a lifetime; but often the scandal in the Church is that the door was closed and victims were not welcomed or accompainied with the closeness of authentic pastors’.
The National Child Safeguarding Policy for our Church is called ’A Safe and Welcoming Church’ and that is what our Diocese is and our Parishes are, a safe and welcoming Church.