Culture shift for Church bodies seen in safeguarding reviews

In the latest edition of its newsletter, NOPS explains that as the office moves into second and third reviews for some entities, it is seeing how the safeguarding review process has done more than just help entities and groups update policies – it has sparked a positive culture shift.

Across Aotearoa New Zealand, conversations around safeguarding are warm, open and focused on support rather than compliance. Reviewers are finding safeguarding is being embraced as a vital way to care for communities and empower those doing the ministry and mahi of the Church to serve with confidence, safety and joy.

The NOPS review team is made up of Siobhan Dilly, Jane Hahn, Jonathan Sankey and Mary Cook.

Earlier this year, seminarians at Holy Cross Seminary in Auckland took part in a workshop titled “Leadership in a culture of safeguarding”.

Facilitated by Siobhan Dilly and Jane Hahn, with guest panellists Msgr Bernard Kiely, Sr Sue France RSM and Fr Anthony Nguyen SDB, the interactive sessions brought future pastors together to talk openly about navigating ministry, setting healthy boundaries and keeping Christ at the centre of all they do.

Rather than treating safeguarding like a rigid checklist, the seminarians were invited to reframe it as a life-giving tool – one that gives priests the freedom to serve warmly and securely. Through lively group discussions, myth-busting and spiritual conversation, the group explored practical ways to protect both their parishioners and their own wellbeing, from managing burnout to navigating diverse cultural norms.

A key takeaway was that prioritising healthy self-care, strong support networks and transparent boundaries isn’t a restriction on ministry, but is how a thriving and safe Church community is built.

Virginia Noonan, NOPS’ national director, said safeguarding is one of two closely connected work streams for the office, the other being professional standards – overseeing complaint management and responding to allegations of abuse.

Ms Noonan said safeguarding focuses on the preventative work of creating and maintaining a culture in which children, young people and adults at risk are safe, respected and valued.

“While these streams have different focuses, they cannot operate in isolation. The experiences of survivors and those who have come forward, together with emerging international practice and our ongoing engagement across the Church, continue to inform and strengthen our safeguarding work,” she said.

FULL STORY

An Update on Safeguarding across Aotearoa New Zealand (National Office for Professional Standards)