Publication Date
2020
Abstract
This commentary conducts a review of the child protection management mechanisms developed within the Catholic Church of England and Wales in light of the recommendations made by the Cumberlege Commission (2007). The commentary examines the performance of these mechanisms in order to identify shortcomings and suggest improvements and specifically analyses the response of ecclesiastical administrative authorities to the principle of ‘paramountcy of child safety’ as guaranteed in the Children Act 1989/2004 and Human Rights Act 1998. The commentary concludes that despite the Cumberlege Commission, child protection mechanisms continue to be set within (i) a centuries old clerical mind-set, (ii) closed institutional hierarchical governance, (iii) a secretive clerical culture and (iv) the complicated organisational management structure of the Roman Catholic Church.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/ya6f-4j76