Former Church Moderator Chairs Catholic Church Safeguarding Review

                                                                                                                                     Monday, November 25, 2013

FORMER Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Very Rev Dr Andrew McLellan, is to chair a review of safeguarding procedures in the Catholic Church in Scotland.

Dr McLellan, Moderator in 2001/2001, is also a former Chief inspector of Prisons in Scotland, will lead an external review of safeguarding procedures announced by the Catholic Church under the auspices of the document ‘Awareness and Safety in our Catholic Communities’ the national agreed guidance for safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Scotland.

Dr McLellan will be assisted in his review by Ranald Mair, Convener of the Safeguarding Committee of the Church of Scotland.

Dr McLellan who is the Convener of the Church of Scotland’s World Mission Council said: “My appointment is a  generous sign of respect not simply for me but for the Church of Scotland; and I am pleased to be able to help the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland in what has been for them a difficult year.

“But my first concern is not to support the Catholic Church: rather it is to seek the best protection of many vulnerable children and adults. In pursuing that aim I will be determined to discover the truth and to make clear recommendations."

“ I am very much encouraged by the independence I will have in selecting the membership of the panel, detailing its remit and deciding on its timescale; and by the  assurance I have been given that the Catholic Bishops will accept our recommendations."

Mgr. Hugh Bradley, General Secretary of the Bishops Conference said: “The Bishops are delighted that Dr Andrew McLellan has agreed to chair a review of Safeguarding procedures and practice. Dr McLellan is a highly respected Church leader, a dedicated public servant and a man of the highest integrity; we look forward to receiving his report and commit ourselves to acting on it."

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