2025 Executive Summary
Three yearly External Review of Christchurch Diocese by the
National Office for Professional Standards (NOPS)
The progress made since the previous external safeguarding review in 2021 is indication of the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch’s commitment to continuing to build a strong safeguarding culture in both its diocesan centre and in the parishes and entities for which it is responsible. The development of this culture is more evident in some parishes and entities than in others. Progress has occurred across all five standards outlined in Standards for Creating and Maintaining a Safeguarding Culture.
Key staff within the diocesan centre have played an important part in this progress. Diocesan leadership have expressed their commitment to continuous improvement and have allocated resources to support it. The experienced safeguarding officer has implemented the recommendations of the 2021 external review in a planned and strategic response.
Diocesan leadership acknowledge the challenges in connecting with local iwi and ensuring that Māori are active partners in decision-making processes related to safeguarding. There will continue to be an emphasis on consultation with local iwi on appropriate use of te reo and practices that value local tikanga. This is also an area of development in Christchurch parishes.
At the diocesan level, the current emphasis placed on review for development and regular safeguarding reporting processes will ensure that progress is sustained within the curia. At the parish level, however, there is some variability in commitment to building strong safeguarding cultures. Although most parishes respond positively to recommendations made in external review reports, accountability processes following diocesan reviews could be strengthened to ensure all parishes are making progress in safeguarding.
The development of written ‘business as usual’ safeguarding procedures for all five safeguarding standards would ensure sustainability of best practice for both current and future diocesan staff.
During a time of great change in its physical environment, the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch has worked hard to establish safeguarding policies and procedures and is now well placed to sustain these good practices and deepen their application so that there is consistency across all parishes and entities in the diocese.
The Catholic Diocese of Christchurch has zero tolerance for all forms of abuse and is committed to safeguarding everyone involved in its activities, ministries, and services. The safety and wellbeing of children and adults-at-risk is our highest priority.
SAFEGUARDING
The Catholic Diocese of Christchurch is committed to fostering a Safeguarding culture where people are empowered to identify and raise concerns and ensure that all people are safe and free from harm. We respect the human dignity of each person, and our Safeguarding principles, processes and practices are the basis of ensuring that all people can grow and develop in their faith freely and in a caring and supportive environment.
A welcome from Bishop Michael Gielen
Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch
1 Cor 12:26
Pope Francis has made it clear he expects the Church on every level to implement whatever steps are necessary to ensure the protection of minors and vulnerable adults and to respond to their needs with fairness and mercy.
Our Diocese acknowledges the lifelong trauma of abuse victims, survivors, and their families. It also acknowledges the past failure of the Catholic Church to protect, believe and respond justly to children and adults at risk, and the consequent breaches of community trust.
Our Diocese has adopted and adheres to the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards. The Standards apply to all parishes, ministries, and agencies under the jurisdiction of the Bishop. We continue to strengthen our safeguarding processes to provide a consistent vision to create and foster a secure physical, emotional and spiritual culture in our faith communities, enabling everyone to enjoy the fullness of life in Jesus Christ.
Clergy, employees and volunteers are committed to upholding the right to safety of all persons and participating in creating a culture of safety. This is supported by policies, practices and procedures that strive to prevent abuse in the first instance and to respond appropriately and effectively if abuse does occur. We respect the human dignity of each person and strive to create a welcoming Church that enables all people to grow and develop their faith freely and in a caring and supportive environment.
Creating safe environments involves active participation and responsibility taken by all parishes. It requires collaboration, vigilance, and a proactive approach through policies, procedures, and practices.
The National Safeguarding Guidelines for the Prevention of and Response to Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand prescribes the commitment of the Church to have safeguarding measures in place in our organisations.
The Church takes all complaints of abuse seriously - no matter the nature or perceived severity of the abuse. Where the complaint of abuse appears to be of a criminal nature, we encourage complainants to take the matter to the police, and will support them in doing so. If the alleged abuse is reported to the police, we will not protect the accused/offender from the processes of civil law nor hide the facts from those entitled to know.
Any person (e.g. child, young person, adult, priest, employee, volunteer) can make a report in relation to current or historical child abuse or child-safety related misconduct.
SAFEGUARDING IN OUR DIOCESE
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