St Columbans Mission Society in Australia (the Society) is actively committed to fostering a safe church that recognises and upholds the dignity and rights of all persons, including children, young people and adults at risk.
The Society complies with the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (2019) which you can read about here.
Our Columban Safeguarding Statement
The Society has formalised its commitment to fostering safe communities in its Safeguarding Statement which you can read below. This statement is on display in all Columban ministries and workplaces throughout Australia.
Our Safeguarding Policy
Our Safeguarding Policy expands on our commitment to fostering safe communities and explains in greater detail what the community may expect of the Society. In the accompanying introduction, the leaders of the Society recognise the importance of upholding a high standard of public trust and accountability.
Our Code of Conduct
Our Code of Conduct details the expectations we have of our Members, Associates, and personnel as they participate in the life and work of the Society. The Code establishes the principles of ethical conduct that guide our ministry. All Columban personnel have an obligation to support these standards and promote the dignity, human rights and well being of the community.
Our Code of Conduct is supported by the Code of Ethical Responsibility for Members of the Society which reflects the global commitment of the Society.
Making a Complaint
We recognise that from time to time we may fall short of the expectations the community has of us, whether it is a general matter of concern, a complaint about our services or something more serious impacting the well-being of an individual or the community. We are committed to managing all feedback and complaints seriously, fairly, objectively and in a timely manner.
If you require information on how to make a complaint about a Member, Associate, or other personnel of the Society, please follow the link below.
If you are the victim of sexual abuse and you prefer to make your complaint to an external Church body rather than to the Society, you may do so via a process established by Pope Francis and conducted locally by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference known as Vos Estis Lux Mundi.
Alternatively, you may contact the Australian Catholic Centre for Professional Standards on +61 2 62340904 or email professional.standards@catholic.org.au
Resources for Victims and Survivors of Abuse by Clergy or Church Personnel
The Society is a member of the National Redress Scheme established by the Australian Government following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
The National Redress Scheme provides support for those who are victims of institutional abuse including access to counselling, a direct personnel apology and financial compensation. For information on the National Redress Scheme follow the link below.
For a full list of other support services across the states and territories follow the link below.
