Audit shows Archdiocese of Hobart a safe and welcoming place for all

By Catherine Sheehan

The Catholic Church in Tasmania is committed to “zero-tolerance” of abuse according to the findings of an audit of the Archdiocese of Hobart’s safeguarding practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.

The audit report from Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd (ACSL) showed that the Archdiocese had a high degree of compliance in its implementation of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS), with potential for further improvement.

The audit was carried out in early October, with ACSL auditors visiting six of the Archdiocese’s parishes to review current safeguarding practices. They also met with representatives of the Archdiocese’s agencies—CatholicCare Tasmania, Catholic Education Tasmania, Loreto Community Housing, St Joseph Affordable Homes and Blueline Laundry.

Dr Ursula Stephens, Chief Executive Officer of ACSL, said the audit result was “very positive” showing that “the Archdiocese is successfully implementing and embedding a culture of safeguarding throughout its organisation, and is compliant with local and National legislation and regulation relating to safeguarding children and adults at risk.”

“The Archdiocese of Hobart demonstrated their commitment to zero-tolerance of abuse,” Dr Stephens said.

“We are well aware of the work that the Archdiocese has done through its commitment over many years, under the guidance of Archbishop Porteous to safeguarding.

“The audit highlighted a coordinated approach to minimise harm to any person and a zero tolerance to any form of abuse of children or vulnerable people.

“In interviews with personnel and in an analysis of the Archdiocesan self-assessment, ACSL. This has been reinforced by Archbishop Ireland, who is deeply committed in his new role.”

Archbishop Tony Ireland was presented with a certificate of compliance from ACSL while attending a meeting of Australia’s bishops in Sydney on 5 November.

“Safeguarding has to be in our DNA (Diocesan Normal Awareness); it is not something added on or extra,” Archbishop Tony said.

The Archbishop thanked ACSL and Archdiocesan staff who had prepared for the audit.

“People travelled widely and they engaged well. I want to thank those people on the ground in Hobart and in particular ACSL for a very profitable project.”

Archbishop Tony added that the Archdiocese had gained “significant learnings” from the audit process.

“Where we have been congratulated, we thank you for that, and where we have indications for improvements we will do that,” he said.

Chair of the Archdiocese’s Safe Communities Committee, Fr Shammi Perera VG, said he was “absolutely delighted” by the audit’s findings.

“For me, safeguarding is an act of love,” Fr Shammi said. “It’s one of the most tangible ways we live out Christian charity.

“By caring for the wellbeing and safety of others, we demonstrate our concern for each person’s dignity as a child of God. It is a continuous reminder about the God-given dignity as human beings that we are created in his image.”

Fr Shammi said the audit result showed that the Archdiocese of Hobart is a “safe community”.

“It reflects our deep commitment to safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk who engage with our parish communities, Catholic schools, and Catholic agencies.

“It also means we uphold a zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse and are dedicated to implementing the best practices and procedures outlined in the 10 National Catholic Safeguarding Standards.”

The Safe Communities team—Jacqueline Highfield, Kathy Tarte, Diane Kelly and Andrea Probert—worked tirelessly to prepare for the audit. Director of People and Culture, Jo Rainbird, also assisted with preparation for the audit and incorporating best practice into the Archdiocese’s recruitment processes for safeguarding.

Director of Professional Standards, Kathy Tarte, said the audit result reflected the significant work undertaken by Safe Communities and parishes over recent years. 

“Everyone involved should be very proud of the result,” she said.

“We need to maintain the momentum and continue our Safeguarding journey across all parishes.

“The Safe Communities team has been the engine room for the development of policies, resources, reporting processes and delivery of training for our much-valued volunteers. 

“The team has done an amazing job and has worked collaboratively with parishes to roll these resources out and importantly to ensure that they are fit for purpose.”

Dr David Treanor, who led the ACSL audit team, said the Archdiocese’s co-ordinated approach to safeguarding had served it well.

“In interviews with personnel and in an analysis of the Archdiocesan self-assessment, ACSL discovered a coordinated approach to minimise harm to any person,” Dr Treanor said.

“The collaboration between the Professional Standards unit and the office of the Vicar General is both productive and collegial. The fruits of this approach is evident in the audit findings.

“Further, the Archdiocese has chosen to use the term ‘Safe Communities’ which is different from other Church Authorities,” he added.

“This approach is both congruent with the notion that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility – we all need to look out for each other; and will only be successful if it is a shared journey.”

The audit report also provides recommendations for the Archdiocese to further improve its safeguarding practices, and the Archdiocese’s agencies will be subject to their own audit in coming years.

“We all need to remain vigilant—the biggest risk of abuse comes from complacency,” Dr Stephens said.

However, the audit findings were a cause for confidence, she added, in the on-going process of implementing and improving safeguarding.

“It demonstrates a deep commitment to safeguarding and should give confidence to the people of Tasmania that the Church is vigilant and operating from a position of respect and protection.”