Scottish Catholic Observer

THE Catholic Church in Scotland owes the Rev Andrew McLellan a great debt. The work of his commission to create a plan to prevent abuse taking place in the Church was of the first rank. Given free reign, he shone a light on shameful incidents in our history and offered a way to make sure they were not repeated.

That’s why it was so disappointing to hear his criticism of the Scottish bishops’ work to implement his report’s recommendation. Some of that criticism was unfair. A great deal of work has been done and it continues. It is largely dull and laborious, which is why it is little reported on. The creation of bureaucratic diocesan structures and of clear chains of communication to report any incident is not the stuff of front page stories. It doesn’t mean they are not happening.

Tina Campbell, national safeguarding coordinator for the Church, and dedicated safeguarding officers in every diocese, are working to ensure the Catholic Church, in every parish and in every aspect is a safe space.

It falls on all of us to take an interest in that work, to support and pray for its success. Where Rev McLellan remarks have more bite is the Church’s dealings with survivors of abuse. Here too much has been done, such as the setting up of the Raphael: Opening the Doors to Healing Counselling Service. But more could be done.

It is a tragic fact that survivors of abuse, because of what they have gone through, can be reluctant to engage. Part of the monstrousness of child abuse is that it doesn’t stop when it stops. Survivors can spend the rest of their life reconciling themselves to what happened. They can be unpredictable, refusing help one day, asking for it the next.

However difficult it is, however exhausting, the Church has to be there for them, no matter how hard it is. This is our penance, this is how we must make amends.