Statement by Diocese of Down and Connor regarding the first anniversary of the publication of the HIAI Report

23 Jan 2018

A year following the publication of Sir Anthony Hart’s HIAI Report, the recommendations of which the Diocese of Down and Connor unequivocally accepts in respect of those care institutions that were under its sole and/or joint management, haven’t been implemented due to the vacuum created by the current political impasse in Northern Ireland. This is deeply regrettable.

The Diocese acknowledges the justifiable hurt and frustration experienced by the victims and survivors who have suffered and who courageously came forward to the Inquiry yet remain despondent at the lack of progress. Victims and survivors have spoken passionately of seeking onward recovery and closure. Sadly, over the past year, some former residents of these homes have died and others have continued to suffer as they await support.

The legacy of abuse is compounded by the lack of a solution and compromise at the level of politics. The onward recovery of victims, survivors and their families is only to be found with the timely review, consultation and proper implementation of the recommendations of the HIAI Report.

The Diocese of Down and Connor reaffirms its commitment to work closely alongside religious congregations and other state, voluntary and church providers of institutional care to assist the Executive Office of the Northern Ireland Assembly in addressing the recommendations of this report.

The Diocese also takes this opportunity to highlight the availability of Towards Healing counselling & support services available to survivors of Church, Religious and Institutional abuse.  The Towards Healing service provides lay independent and fully accredited counsellors to support survivors. Towards Healing may be contacted on:

  • Freephone (UK & NI) 0800 096 3315 or (RoI) 1800 303 416
  • Mobile number for Hearing Impaired Clients  +353 (0) 85-8022859
  • Website: www.towardshealing.ie

Towards Peace is a service offering spiritual support to survivors of physical emotional or sexual abuse perpetrated by Catholic Church personnel in Ireland.  Towards Peace can be contacted on:

 

~~~ENDS~~~