Safeguarding Statement

The Parish of Mary Help of Christians Sawtell is wholly committed to ensuring the safety, well-being and dignity of all children, and acknowledges its important legal, moral and spiritual responsibility to create a safe and nurturing environment for those children.

The community has very clear expectations in matters relating to child protection and expects children will be protected from all forms of harm including sexual, physical and psychological harm, ill treatment and neglect.

Mary Help of Christians Parish supports these expectations and strives to promote the safety and protection of children and other vulnerable persons in its care.

Click here for the Safeguarding Statement from the Bishop

To access prayers and resources click the images below

All Clergy, Parish Staff and, Volunteers, whose role involves working with/or possibly coming into close contact with children, hold a Working with Children Check and are required to participate in Mandatory Safeguarding Training. In our Parish, Safeguarding Compliance is managed by Adelle Gould accounts@sawtellcatholicchurch.com.au

Diocese Safeguarding Team

The Diocese of Lismore’s Safeguarding Team works to ensure that we all stay connected in our efforts to promote a safer Diocese and to keep us all up to date with relevant information and important updates.  The Diocese has a handbook that details all policies and procedures in relation to Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults.  A copy of this handbook is available from the Parish Office.

If you or a person close to you has been abused by someone working or ministering within the Diocese of Lismore, we invite you to contact us. We will listen to you respectfully, offer support and discuss options you have available to you. To contact the Safeguarding Office, please phone (02) 6621 9444 or email safeguarding@lismore.catholic.org.au

Jesus called a little child to Him and set him in their midst, ³ and he said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore whoever humbles himself like this little child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever receives one such child in My name welcomes Me (Matthew 18:2-5)