Safeguarding
Since 2023 the Order of Friars Minor in Great Britain has been part of the Province of Ireland with the Provincial Office at Merchants’ Quay, Dublin. The Friars of the Province resident in the UK are bound by all the statutory polices and regulations regarding Safeguarding as required by the Episcopal Conferences of England & Wales, and Scotland. These have been implemented on the recommendations of the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (in England & Wales) and the Scottish Catholic Standards Agency. These two agencies also ensure that we remain compliant with the Safeguarding standards of the Catholic Church in Great Britain.
The Friars in the UK also work closely with the Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS) which comprises an independent team of safeguarding professionals providing specialist advice to religious orders of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
Designated Friars in the UK liaise with the statutory agencies to ensure that any allegations of abuse are promptly and thoroughly investigated and, where appropriate, survivors supported and perpetrators held accountable. Any concerns can be raised with our Safeguarding Lead.
A Message from the Minister Provincial, Fr Aidan McGrath OFM, regarding the important topic of Safeguarding for the Friars Minor in Ireland and the UK.
Every Franciscan learns about living the Gospel by reflecting on the enduring example of St. Francis of Assisi. His eyes were opened to teach him that Gospel-living demanded that he be a “brother to all” and that in doing so that he must become a “lesser brother” who would never use any human force to harm another person.
Being a “brother to all” highlights the “fraternal” dimension of Franciscan life. While being a “lesser brother” reminds us that we must live with humility in relationship to the entire created order, especially those who are vulnerable or in need.
Fr Aidan McGrath
This fraternal dimension of Franciscan life and the call to minority (being a lesser brother) have direct implications for how the Order of Friars Minor must respond to the evil of sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults. As “brothers to all” we, friars, are called to have respect for the dignity and worth of every human being including children and vulnerable adults. Equally, our profession to live as “lesser brothers” requires that we never exploit or misuse the power that we may have as members of a religious order or as ministers of the Church.
As a community of brothers, the Franciscan Province of Ireland is committed:
- To protect and safeguard from any form of abuse, all people who are served by the friars, especially children and young people.To listen respectfully and act upon all allegations of abuse brought against a Friar.
- To cooperate with the statutory authorities and church officials to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all whom we serve.
- To educate ourselves and the people we serve about the pain, the harm, and the lifelong suffering that occurs when people are victims of abuse.
- To implement the Standards set by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency.
- To work to prevent the abuse of minors by adopting screening procedures within our application process for potential members and within our initial and ongoing Formation Programmes.
St. Francis believed that his encounter with others, especially with those who were suffering, was a “transforming” experience in his life. We pray that by our diligent observance of our policies and procedures that we will be transformed like St. Francis and commit ourselves to safeguarding and protecting all children and young people.
January 2026
An Invitation
We invite anyone who may have been abused by a Franciscan friar (living, former or deceased) and who has never come forward to do so, in order that they can receive help and support.
Contact:
Fr Quentin Jackson OFM,
Safeguarding Lead, 557-559 High Road Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 0RB
Tel: 020 8504 1688
Email: safeguarding@friar.org
Click on the image above to download a copy of our Safeguarding manual.
Find independent help and support if you have been affected by church related abuse