Report On

INTER DIOCESAN CONFERENCE

held in Heriot Watt University on 18^th/19^th January 2008

The Inter Diocesan Conference ‘Awareness and Safety in our Catholic Communities’ was held at Heriot-Watt University on 18^th/19^th January 2008.   This was an opportunity for people from each Diocese to hear at first hand about National initiatives i.e.:

·         exploring the detail of new legislation (Vetting and Barring Scheme);

·         debating the wider and important issue of proportionate protection;

·         sex offenders and high risk offenders active within the Church and how they can be managed;

·         overview of Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre;

·         issues of vulnerability.

Vital to the success of the Conference was that delegates needed to represent the dioceses and national advisory groups to ensure maximising ownership of the developing programme.

A range of participants (51 in total) took part in the Conference and included His Eminence Keith Patrick Cardinal O’Brien, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh;  Right Rev John Cunningham, Bishop of Galloway; Right Rev Peter Moran, Bishop of Aberdeen; members of Religious Congregations, Diocesan Clergy, Volunteers, Diocesan Advisers, Youth Officers, Trainers, members of the Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults Diocesan Teams, members of the National Advisory Teams.

The Conference was well received and considered useful – great credit on those working for the protection of children and vulnerable adults throughout the Church.   (Programme attached.)

Prepared by: Jackie McCaig

January 2008