The Catholic Church in England and Wales welcomed the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). Its reports will now inform the ongoing reform and improvement of safeguarding in all aspects of the Church’s life.
IICSA has published reports on the Catholic Church in England and Wales, the Archdiocese of Birmingham, the English Benedictine Congregation and a further report on Child Migration Programmes.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales accepted the Recommendations of the IICSA Report in November 2020. This response shows how the Catholic Church is addressing the seven recommendations. You can download the response document – a Recommendations Action Plan – below and you can also read an introductory cover letter from the Chair of the Catholic Council for IICSA, Baroness Nuala O’Loan.
On 30 September 2021, the Catholic Council for IICSA released additional updates in response to IICSA’s recommendations.
IICSA’s overarching report on the investigation into the Catholic Church (November 2020)
Response
Read a statement from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (English)
Read a statement from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (Welsh/Cymraeg)
A case study on the Archdiocese of Birmingham, as part of its wider investigation into the Catholic Church (June 2019)
Response
You can read a statement from the Archdiocese of Birmingham.
A case study on the English Benedictine Congregation reporting on the Ampleforth and Downside hearings as part of its investigation into the Catholic Church (August 2018).
Response
You can read a statement from Downside and a statement from Ampleforth.
A further IICSA case study report into Ealing Abbey and St Benedict’s School was published in October 2019.
The IICSA report above also includes an update on the Ampleforth and Downside case studies.
Response
Abbot Dominic Taylor of Ealing Abbey issued a statement on IICSA’s report into Ealing Abbey and St Benedict’s School.
A report into Child Migration Programmes as part of its investigation into Children Outside the UK (March 2018).
Response
You can read Bishop Marcus Stock’s apology and a note on access to records:
The Catholic Council to assist IICSA under its Chair, Baroness Nuala O’Loan, has representatives from both the Bishops’ Conference and the Conference of Religious. It supported the numerous organisations that make up the Catholic Church in England and Wales and spoke with and for the Church. It ensured that the evidence required by the Inquiry was collated appropriately. Full membership can be found here.
Canon Christopher Thomas
General Secretary, CBCEW
Sincere apology to former child migrants and offer to meet with the Lead Bishop for Safeguarding.
A 21-page response showing how the Catholic Church is addressing the seven recommendations of the final IICSA report into the Roman Catholic Church.
Child sexual abuse is a crime. It is a crime that requires committed vigilance and strict procedures to ensure reporting to the statutory authorities. This is the Church’s policy. It is also why our safeguarding work needs to be continually reviewed and improved.
Diolchwn panel yr IICSA am eu gwaith. Bydd yr Adroddiad yn llywio nawr y gwaith i ddiwygio a gwella diogelu ym mhob agwedd ar fywyd yr Eglwys.
"We will take the time needed to review the IICSA report thoroughly in order to make a considered and detailed response, which will inform our ongoing commitment to do more and do better."
