Both individually and collectively we have a responsibility to ensure that every person has a value and dignity from his/her creation in the image and likeness of God.

Pope Francis has made it clear he expects the Church, on every level, to implement whatever steps are necessary to ensure the protection of children and vulnerable adults.

The aim of the New Zealand Diocese’s is to provide a consistent culture of safeguarding in our faith communities, enabling everyone to enjoy the fullness of life in Jesus Christ. Safeguarding practices have become the norm in society for organisations which work with children and vulnerable adults. Safeguarding is about keeping everyone safe from harm, trauma and abuse, whether it be emotional, physical, or sexual.

We are all responsible for developing safe practices at all levels within the Church.  Safeguarding applies to volunteers as well as to employees, priests, religious, lay pastoral leaders and anyone in ministry which involves children or vulnerable adults. It requires collaboration, vigilance and a proactive approach through policies, procedures and practices.

Safeguarding activities 2024

  • Supporting new priests of the Archdiocese to undertake the Te Kupenga Safeguarding in the Catholic Church Aotearoa NZ Safeguarding course – April 2024
  • Safeguarding presentation at Parish Secretaries Day – May 2024
  • “Spirituality of Safeguarding” workshop in the Wairarapa Parish Formation Day – June 2024
  • Safeguarding presentation to employees and volunteers at Villa Joseph, Upper Hutt for the Sisters of Mercy New Zealand – June 2024
  • Safeguarding Workshop Levin Parish – July 2024
  • Safeguarding Presentation at EJP Formation Day – August 2024
  • Visit to South Island Parishes 5th to 9th August 2024
  • Safeguarding Workshop – St Mary of the Angels Parish Wellington – August 2024
  • Safeguarding Workshop – Our Lady of the Valleys and St Joseph’s Parish’s Upper Hutt – August 2024

For information on upcoming Safeguarding training, please contact Kevin Plant at k.plant@wn.catholic.org.nz. Te Kupenga also offers a course on Safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand. Click here for more information.

Resources

National Office for Professional Standards

The National Office for Professional Standards is a partnership between the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference and the Congregation Leaders Conference of Aotearoa New Zealand. It develops and audits safeguarding policy and practice and responds to complaints of abuse in the Church. It has developed a set of documents which are being adopted by all the dioceses and religious orders, to ensure consistency of approach across the country.

These documents include:

The Archdiocese of Wellington has formally adopted these policies and is developing the processes necessary to implement them. The Policies, Standards and Code of Conduct apply to everyone: clergy, religious, employees and volunteers.

Other documents can be found on the National Office for Professional Standards website.

Parish Resources

There are resources available for parishes in managing their volunteers. These include the Code of Conduct, role descriptions, and volunteer application and confirmation letter templates.

The Code of Conduct for the Archdiocese of Wellington can be accessed here.

Volunteer role descriptions available include:

Parish Safeguarding Administrator
Leader Liturgy of the Word with Children
Trainer Altar Servers Role
Extraordinary Minister of Communion to the Sick
Sacramental Programme Leader
Youth Volunteer Minister

Safeguarding Practices

There is an expectation that those who volunteer within their parish or faith community alongside children, youth and vulnerable adults complete the Safeguarding processes of Safeguarding training, Police vetting and read, understand and sign the Code of Conduct to support safe ministry.

Safeguarding Training

For further information regarding Safeguarding training, see the listed dates of workshops or contact k.plant@wn.catholic.org.nz.

Police Vetting

Our volunteers are required to be police vetted, undergo training and reference checked before being able to undertake their roles.

We assist Parishes with the implementation of the National Safeguarding Framework and will keep you updated on upcoming information and training sessions.

Safety Checking and Police vetting practices. See more information here.

For further information or assistance about our safeguarding within the Archdiocese, please contact:

Safeguarding Coordinator: Kevin Plant, k.plant@wn.catholic.org.nz

Complaints and Concerns resources

What to do if you receive a call or visit about abuse or harm :

Complaint’s Process: 

Contact

Kevin Plant, Safeguarding Coordinator. k.plant@wn.catholic.org.nz

To report or seek advice about abuse please go to Reporting Abuse

For information about the Archdiocese’s response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions, please go to Royal Commission Response.