This page is for us to bring you any news or developments within our churches.
It is for conference news, newspaper cuttings, book releases, completed court cases, working parties and other groups' work.
If you have news of clergy or minister abusers, or of what churches or advocacy groups are doing, please let us know - keeping informed is half the battle.
Lottery funding & finances
Since our lottery funding we have achieved some really good things:
The Lottery funding, however, is now finished and we need more funding for this year. Can you help? Either with donations or finding us grants. All donations gratefully received.
AGM
Our recent AGM in Birmingham had Lesley Orr speaking on Sanctuary and it was truly fascinating. She gave a history of
Sanctuary - a religious facility offering safe-haven to those who are pursued by legal authorities. She explained it was never a soft option. Villains had to admit their guilt and agree to banishment.
The meaning of Sanctuary today has completely changed. Many of us want a safe place with a degree of care and understanding. Instead we are often ignored or experience rejection.
Lesley will be writing her thoughts up for the next Newsletter, asking whether Churches can or do offer survivors Sanctuary. Have you something you’d like to say on this for our Survivors page?
McCoy Report into the Brothers of Charity abuse in Galway
Margaret Kennedy, Chair of MACSAS, has worked for over five years to see this report out in the open. Eleven Brothers of
Charity were implicated in sexually abusing many learning disabled children and adults.
The report is obtainable from the Irish HSE website. Beware it makes difficult reading. If you want to read more about the report type ‘Brothers of Charity Galway Abuse’ into your search engine.
Margaret wants to learn more about the conviction of two Brothers of Charity in about 1998 who sexually abused learning disabled children at Thingwall Hall Liverpool. Their names are James Kelly (Brother Ambrose) and Austin Morgan (Brother Edwin).
If you have any information do let us know.
Domestic abuse & The Methodist Church
A publication called Taking Action might be helpful to those facing violence, from
partners or husbands, after disclosure of clergy abuse.
Visit Methodist Publishing House or send them an email.
Anglican Church
Promoting a safe church: Policy for safeguarding adults in the Church of England. Published in 2006.
Can be obtained from
chpublishing
Coming Soon
Breaking the Silence by Martin Ridge and Gerard Cunningham.
This book is a brilliantly written account of the Garda investigation that brought serial and
unrepentant abusers to justice.
Visit Gillmacmillan for more information.
DVD on Child Safety
This is a training video. For information contact: Dean Juster, The Salvation army, 101 Newingington Causeway, London SE1 6BN.
Catholic Office for the Protection of Children & Vulnerable Adults (COPCA)
COPCA is planning a National Safeguarding Conference from 6th-8th October 2008. It is aimed at all those
working in the Catholic Church within the safeguarding system. On 7th October they will run a “market place” with
stalls from various organisations and charities such as MACSAS which are involved in safeguarding work.
MACSAS will have a stall and hope to attend.
Working Groups Survivors' Forum
The Anglican and Methodist church’s Child Protection Co-ordinator, Pearl Luxon, is co-ordinating this forum to
develop the work of these churches with survivors' ideas and input.
MACSAS is represented at this forum. A prayer card has been developed and will be printed soon. More news when it comes.
