According to reports this weekend, under the new Safeguarding Standards, parents will not be allowed to take photographs during their child’s Communion or Confirmation ceremony.
The measures, introduced by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCC), have been implemented amid fears that the photographs could end up in the possession of a potential child abuser.
Under the measures, each diocese in Ireland will have to adhere to specific guidelines regarding the filming and photography of the church ceremonies.
Commenting on the move, spokesman for the NBSCCC Ger Kenny said: “It’s to avoid a situation whereby photos get into the wrong hands of potential abusers. The risk issue is people will be taking pictures of kids who are not related to them, and for inappropriate reasons.”
The new measures stipulate that each diocese must have robust child protection policies in place, which are implemented consistently.
While it certainly is comforting to know that every action is being taken to protect our children, it is a sorry state of affairs that it has come to this.
