Church’s ban on rough stuff

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
HEALESVILLE priests and parishioners have been told that wrestling, tickling, and piggyback rides are unacceptable behaviours in new guidelines drawn up to protect children within the local Catholic church system.
Parishioners have also been told that using social networking such as Facebook and texting to interact with children is prohibited.
But one parent of a child abuse victim is incensed that different guidelines have been drawn up for each parish, which he says indicates that children are safer in Lilydale than in Healesville.
The guidelines for the wellbeing of children and vulnerable people are being introduced this year in Healesville and Lilydale parishes.
They also include acceptable forms of behaviour towards children such as giving high-fives, handshakes and verbal praise.
In a statement to the media, Father Julian Langridge said the document was not strictly about priests, but for all, be they priest, worker, visitor or parishioner.
“Its purpose is to assist in protecting the children and the most vulnerable in our parish, and although it does not in itself prevent abuse through intervention it can assist in preventing abuse through deterrent,” he said.
Fr Langridge said the guidelines aimed to assist people in being aware of questionable situations.
“Though some people would say that ‘it does not go far enough’, others would say ‘it goes too far’,” he said.
“Hopefully, it is also a sign to our community that we are serious in seeking to make our church a safe place for all who attend.”
The guidelines indicate that children are valued as an important part of parish life, and place a responsibility on parents as the protectors of their children.
One parent of a child who was physically abused by a Healesville priest said victims and their parents wanted to have a say in child safety in the parish, but they were ignored.
“What they’ve come up with is a travesty of justice, it indicates the kids are safe in Lilydale but not Healesville,” he said.
The father said he would hate to see another family in the parish go through what he had to with his child.
“What worries me is they are not giving our kids the protection they should be giving,” he said.
“I think they need to have a board which is accessible, not just through the priest, and people should be able to approach anybody on the board for support.”
The guidelines will also apply to the treatment of children in the schools connected to the parish, St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School in Healesville and St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School in Lilydale, and will be open for submissions and reviews over the coming months.