Parish Council

We have a dedicated Parish Council that helps us run the affairs of our parish. We publish the minutes a little while after the meetings.

Volunteers

  • Iona Swider – Flowers and Cleaning
  • Mary Maley – Meet and Greet
  • Geraldine Ferguson – Teas and Coffees
  • Margaret is doing the books

Elected Members:

  • Cathay McKnight
  • Michael McLaughlin
  • Gaby Barnaby
  • David McLoughlin
  • David Dawson
  • Joan Peppitt
  • Clair McGeary
  • Kathleen Jackson
  • Polly Bell (Treasurer)
  • Ann Donohoe (Safeguarding)
  • Father Colin

The next meeting will be 26 January 2025.

Safeguarding

“Safeguarding is a duty that is rooted in the message of Jesus and in the mission of the Church. The Catholic Church in Scotland aspires to the highest standards with regard to the care and protection of children and vulnerable adults, and actively promotes justice for, and provides assistance to, those who have been abused. We are committed to respecting, protecting and nurturing the dignity of all people. We are determined that the Catholic Church in Scotland will offer a safe place in all Church premises and activities, and with all Church personnel…”

Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency
See this helpful PDF for more details.

For further information on safeguarding issues or if you have any concerns about a child, young person or adult at risk, contact:

Our Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinator is Ann Donohoe and can be contacted on 07917 150 992.

Safeguarding In Practice

The Catholic Church in Scotland, in all parishes and dioceses, follows a set of policies and procedures which are detailed in a document signed by each Bishop on 19th March 2018. This document, titled In God’s Image, instructs all those responsible for Safeguarding – clergy, religious, employees and
volunteers – to follow the arrangements and to comply with the Safeguarding standards which are set out in detail.

These include:

  • Creating safe Church environments to protect children and vulnerable adults and to prevent harm or abuse
  • Requiring compulsory PVG membership for all clergy, employees and volunteers who work with vulnerable groups
  • Encouraging the public to report suspicions of abuse or harm
  • Mandatory reporting of all allegations of abuse (recent or historic) involving Church personnel to the Police
  • Providing support, care and advice for survivors of abuse when they disclose their experience
  • Requiring every parish to appoint a safeguarding co-ordinator to support parish volunteers
  • Appointing specialist safeguarding staff in each diocese
  • Establishing a team to assess and manage risks in each diocese
  • Requiring Bishops, clergy, religious, employees and volunteers to undertake regular training in safeguarding
  • Undertaking annual safeguarding audits in every parish and diocese
  • Publishing annual figures relating to disclosed allegations
  • Establishing an Independent Review group to review and comment on the annual safeguarding audit
  • Complying with safeguarding legislation in Scotland aspiring to follow recognised best practices in safeguarding

What to do?

  • Take the person seriously
  • Ensure the immediate safety of the person who is at risk
  • Take emergency action, if required, by contacting police, Social work or medical services
  • Encourage the complainant to contact the Safeguarding Adviser in the Diocese where the alleged Incident(s) took place
  • Ensure that the person knows that the Church has a mandatory reporting policy and that you must inform the Safeguarding Adviser
  • Contact the Safeguarding Adviser yourself