An external inquiry into the Catholic Church in Scotland’s handling of allegations of sexual abuse by priests will hear from abuse victims and provide a “significant opportunity to bring about material change”, the man leading the review said.
Andrew McLellan has named 11 commissioners who will work with him, including a Scottish bishop, an English bishop, the chairman of the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission, a senior police officer and an MP.
Dr McLellan, a former Church of Scotland moderator and former HM Inspector of Prisons, said the commission would "listen to the experience of survivors of harm and abuse" and use what it learns to "bring about material change". While he said the commission would not adjudicate on current or historical allegations, he said his recommendations would aim to make the Church "a safe place for all".
Dr McLellan also made clear that the Church in Scotland had given a “robust commitment” to acting on “all” of the commissions findings and recommendations.
At a press conference to launch the McLellan Commission today, the minister said: “Our task is primarily to help to protect children and vulnerable adults, it is not to protect the Catholic Church. But we want to help that Church to get right its policies and practices with regard to abuse. The only credible policy for a Church must be ‘no abuse; no cover-up'."
The Scottish bishops had been under pressure to commission an outside inquiry into its safeguarding procedures following a BBC documentary showing evidence of physical and sexual abuse carried out at the Benedictine-run Fort Augustus School and its prep school.
The Church in Scotland is still coming to terms with the resignation of Cardinal Keith O’Brien a year ago after allegations of sexual misconduct were made against him by five men, four of them priests. Those allegations did not involve minors.
The McLellan Commission will look at the Church’s systems for dealing with allegations of abuse and recommend ways to improve them. It will hear from experts and take advice on best practice; look at ways to improve the support available to victims; and consider wider aspects of culture and governance within the Church and examine how effective it is at promoting safeguarding.
On the commission alongside Dr McLellan are:
Ranald Mair (deputy chairman), chief executive of Scottish Care
Dr David McAllister (secretary), former Assistant Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland
Bishop Stephen Robson, bishop of Dunkeld
Bishop John Arnold, Auxiliary bishop of Westminster
Danny Sullivan, chairman of the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission
Malcolm Graham, Assistant Chief Constable, Police Scotland
Prof Nancy Loucks, chief executive of Families Outside and member of the Scottish government's early years task force
Lord Mackay of Drumadoon, retired judge and former Solicitor General for Scotland
Kathleen Marshall, former Commissioner for Children and Young People in Scotland
Roisin McGoldrick, teaching fellow at Glasgow School of Social Work
Lindsay Roy, MP for Glenrothes
Sheena McDonald, journalist and broadcaster
The commission’s final report is due to be delivered in summer 2015 but Dr McLellan said any areas of "immediate concern or action" arising during the inquiry could be progressed "more urgently".
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