Scottish Catholic Observer

The recent, appalling attacks on two parish priests in recent weeks—one in Glasgow and one in Kilwinning in Ayrshire—underlines the fact that most priests, today, are what the non-clerical world describes as ‘lone workers.’

Lone workers include bus drivers, social workers, tradesmen and posties. And, in each category of employment, whenever a lone worker is identified, the law requires that the employer has a duty of care towards ensuring that he or she can work safely, is trained in what to do in an emergency, and, crucially, has access to an instant alarm system, such as a pre-loaded panic button on a mobile phone.

Yet, in the Catholic Church, and in other denominations too, we don’t seem to recognise our clergy as lone workers. Long gone are the days when three or four priests occupied a chapel house, offering safety in numbers, and, crucially, in those far-off times a housekeeper, sometimes a lady you wouldn’t argue with, who saw off any undesirables at the front door.

Fast forward to today, and most of our priests are living by themselves in houses that are far too big, and, in many cases, are lacking in basic security systems.

However, archdioceses and dioceses have a duty of care to their priests, and must, legally, treat them as lone workers. A panic button may already be available in some churches and parish houses, probably not of the type common in other sectors, which connects to a call centre, pre-loaded with all the details of the location and access points. Once the button is pressed, the centre immediately passes on the relevant information, in the right order, to the police, who, checking the listing, respond immediately.

The knowledge that there will be an immediate response would give peace of mind to a priest who had only to press one button on his mobile, knowing that the cavalry will arrive.

That is what we need in every parish house, unless, of course, we take a close look at priests living by themselves, and, especially in cities, concentrate them in some of today’s larger, and, currently under-occupied parish houses, and sell off the more isolated properties.

After all, especially in rural areas, such as large parts of Galloway Diocese, many priests already serve several parishes, and don’t live near most of the churches at which they celebrate Mass, so there’s no need to have a man on site, and CCTV and enhanced security can keep buildings safe.

However, it’s not just about physical methods of keeping safe. It’s also about training priests in how to react if confronted by an aggressive or threatening person, either at the chapel house door, or in the church itself.

Many of our priests are in their later years, but all lone workers, regardless of age, need to be trained in techniques to de-escalate potentially dangerous situations, and, if the worst comes to the worst, to have identified escape routes in advance of any possible attack.

Mike Greville, a Catholic, runs SALVAS, a company teaching workplace violence reduction techniques to everyone from housing officers, through to community wardens and voluntary organisations, such as Glasgow City homeless, winter night shelter staff and volunteers and Street Angel teams.

Mike is surprised that he’s never been approached by a church of any denomination to provide training.

He said: “Many of the people I train deal with customers and members of the public in highly charged and emotional situations. If you think about it, so do priests.

“It can be an awkward meeting to arrange a Baptism for someone who doesn’t regularly come to church, and who’s hinting at potential family disorder and even violence on the day. It could be escorting an intruder from the church, or dealing with a person with mental health issues at the parish house door.

“Many priests will say they’ve developed their own techniques, but, the fact is that the world is becoming angrier, people demand their ‘rights’ much more.”

“The bottom line is that every priest is entitled, under law, to be trained,” added Mike. “If serious injury or, God forbid, loss of life were to occur, then the archdiocese or diocese would be held legally liable if effective training had not been delivered.”

And it’s not just priests and ministers who are subject to incivility, threatening behaviour and violence. In the same week that one of the two attacks on priests took place, the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers highlighted a rise in violence against shop and retail staff and asked for enhanced legal protection for all its members.

An attack on any worker or clergyman is a disgrace and a dreadful reflection on a society which does not understand right from wrong.

But it’s even more of a disgrace if we, as a Church, don’t provide our priests with the primary security hardware and, crucially, the training, to withstand the onslaughts of those, who, through sectarianism, criminal intent or, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, seek to intimidate or assault any man of God.