Catholic Church moves on abuse

Eileen Shearer has been appointed the first
director of the Catholic Office for the Protection of Children and
Vulnerable Adults by the Catholic Church in England and Wales
earlier this week.

Shearer will oversee the Catholic Church’s
national strategy for child protection. The office will advise the
Church on best practice in the field. It will also co-ordinate the
development of policies and procedures on the prevention of abuse
and the protection of children, young people and vulnerable
adults.

The office was established following the
recommendation in last November’s final report of the independent
review on child protection, chaired by Lord Nolan.

Shearer said: “I am absolutely convinced that
the Roman Catholic Church has listened to Lord Nolan’s report and
is taking this seriously.”

She said her first task was to discuss with
the child protection unit a timescale of its work. This includes
awareness raising in the Church, reviewing selection procedures and
training for staff and volunteers, and responding to allegations of
abuse.

Shearer, who described herself as agnostic,
spent 16 years at the NSPCC in positions from front-line services
to senior management. She said she was taking on the job because
she was “very committed to making sure children are protected
wherever they may be”.

Announcing her appointment Archbishop Vincent
Nichols, chairperson of the office’s management board, said: “This
appointment is a demonstration of our commitment to take a
conscientious approach to the children in our care.”