Newmarket event reflects on theology of safeguarding

Parish Safeguarding Representatives from across the Diocese of East Anglia met on October 19 for the annual Safeguarding event. Diocesan Safeguarding Administrator, Rebecca Bretherton, reports.

At the event we took a step back from the practicalities of safeguarding to reflect on the theology of safeguarding. Our guest speaker was Rev Dr Barry O’Sullivan, a diocesan priest from the Diocese of Salford, currently working internationally as a safeguarding consultant.  

Fr Barry spoke about a spirituality of safeguarding. He explored the Gospels and the teaching of recent Popes, as well as the resources of Catholic Social Teaching, to show that safeguarding should be understood as a central part of the Church’s mission, and “part of who we are as Christians.”

He said: “While we are committed to sound safeguarding practice, based on what has been learned from statutory and voluntary sectors, recent experience has shown that there is a desire and a need for a theological and spiritual foundation for safeguarding in the church.” This begins with an understanding of Christ as a victim who shares the suffering of all victims.    

He used a quotation from recent research carried out by the Boundary Breaking Project, ‘The image of the new-born Christ child is one of immense vulnerability, and the passion and death of Christ reveal his vulnerability. We are more familiar with the idea of God as “almighty”’ and it can seem scandalous to speak of the vulnerability of God.” (Report: The Cross of the Moment, 2024). Fr Barry reminded us that Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is described in Eucharistic Prayer I as “this pure victim, this holy victim, this spotless victim.”

He showed us that the Church has always taught that Christians should prioritise support of the poor and vulnerable and those on the margins of society.  Victims and survivors of abuse should be able to expect our response to their needs to be loving and compassionate and we should be ready to answer those needs practically and spiritually. He argued that “much of the source of teaching and wisdom which will be needed to respond appropriately … is clearly embedded in our own Catholic Social Teaching.”

Bishop Peter celebrated Mass and prayed for victims and survivors of abuse and for all those who work in safeguarding.   

The annual safeguarding event is an important gathering in our year and aims to give support and encouragement for those working to keep our parishes safe.

Pictured above is Fr Barry O’Sullivan speaking at the safeguarding event in Newmarket.

Comments