REPORT ON ANGLOPHONE CONFERENCE 2009

held in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Rome

1st to 5th June 2009

The purpose of the Anglophone Conference was to address relevant issues concerning the sexual abuse of children and the means by which the Church can play an effective role in the protection of children from such abuse.
 
The Conference permitted an opportunity for bishops, clergy, religious, lay professionals and officials engaged in this work on behalf of Episcopal conferences to share their experiences and learn from invited speakers.
 
This year’s Conference entitled Looking Forward – The Challenge Ahead which was organised by the Bishops Conference of Scotland, is the 10th meeting; the first one was held 2000.
 
The participating Episcopal Conferences, representing five continents, are:

 -Australia
- Chile
- England and Wales
- Ghana
- India
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Scotland
- United States
 
Bishops present - names, dioceses and countries –
 
• Archbishop Philip Wilson, Archbishop of Adelaide, Australia

• Bishop Bill Morris, Co-Chair of the National Committee, Queensland, Australia

• Bishop Blase Cupich, Bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota and Chair of the United States Bishops Committee for the Protection of Children & Young People USCCB, USA
 
• Bishop Brian Finnigan, Bishop, Brisbane, Australia
 
• Bishop Declan Lang, Bishop of Clifton & Vice Chair, National Catholic Safeguarding Commission, Bristol, England

• Bishop John McAreavey, Bishop of Dromore, Ireland
 
• Bishop John Cunningham, Bishop of Galloway, Scotland
 
• Bishop Lucas Abadamloora, Bishop of Navrongo-Bolgatanga,  Bolgatanga U.E.R. Ghana
 
 
This year’s agenda items:

• Understanding Sex Offenders – Msgr. Rossetti, President and CEO of St. Luke’s Institute in the USA and England.

•  Managing Risk – Mr. Martin Henry, Advisor to Cardinal O’Brien, Archdiocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Scotland
 
• The Impact of Clerical Abuse – Mrs. Tina Campbell, Diocesan Adviser, Diocese of Motherwell, Scotland

• Victims and Healing – Bishop Blase Cupich of the United States

• Spirituality Programs for Survivors – Mr. Ian Elliot, CEO of National Board for Safeguarding Children, Ireland

• Discussion with Msgr. Charles Scicluna, Promoter of Justice, Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith

• Presentation by Fr. Fortunato Di Noto, President of the Meter Association, Italy
      
 
There is much good news about the way the Catholic Church now addresses clergy sexual abuse, the outreach to victims and the protection of children. Those include policies and procedures, codes of conduct,  the outreach to victims, the number of people trained in safe environment, background evaluations completed, and the removal of offenders to name a few. 

The dialogue generated through these Anglophone Conferences aids and supports the implementation of such practices worldwide.
 
This annual meeting is one example of the cooperation and dedication of all members of the church to create safe environments within the Church and in the wider society.
 
It is further evidence of the Church’s proactive and positive response to the need to protect children as well as recognize that there is much that still needs to be done.

We take this opportunity to invite all victims of clergy abuse to come forward for reconciliation and healing.