Safeguarding Policy
For Champagnat Marists safeguarding is not a recent discovery, an additional task, or another compliance responsibility. It is central to our mission, and in a true sense, it is our mission.
St Marcellin Champagnat’s purpose for founding the Institute was the education, care and wellbeing (though he didn’t use the word, it was the intent of his actions) of young people in war ravaged France. He wanted this work to go to “all the dioceses of the world” so deliberately set his heart on an international mission.
Champagnat was a man of action. He didn’t philosophise or write books or treatises. However, he did give guidance. When dealing with children he told the Brothers to never hit them or use corporal punishment. In residential settings, such as boarding school, he advised that 2 Brothers must be allocated to a Dormitory. How and why these prudent measures weren’t followed more widely is unknown. Here was a man who didn’t want students to be harmed.
He also gave us the Golden Rule: “to teach children you must first love them and love them all equally”. Brothers were to care for children and young people as though they were their own children or their own sisters and brothers. Importantly there was to be no favouritism, none left out or counted as second class.
These simple guidelines sum up Marcellin’s approach to safeguarding. Young people, and by extension, vulnerable people, were to be loved, guarded, cared for and never harmed. Strategies and guidelines were to be put in place. To guard, guide and keep young people safe was and is our mission.
For whatever reason Marists deviated from such unambiguous and definite instructions. Royal Commissions and the like in various locations have shown the tragic consequences of this.
The Star of the Sea Province commits to its moral, legal and mission-driven responsibilities to create nurturing environments where children, young people and adults, especially those at risk, are respected and supported. Their voices must be heard and their needs met. In such circumstances they will feel safe and in fact be safe.
Our Province commitment is drawn from the heart of the Gospel where inherent in the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ is love, justice and the sanctity of each human person. The Province, like the Institute of the Marist Brothers, holds the care, safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults at risk as a central and fundamental responsibility.
Despite its expanse and complexity, the Province commits to having clear expectations, guidelines, policies and processes that are well known and understood. It will not tolerate any form of mistreatment or abuse.
In each of our 11 countries the Province will respond to complaints of unprofessional conduct or criminal behaviour in ways that are just and reflect nationally established standards, applicable legislation and Church protocols. Furthermore, we will offer pastoral support to any person affected by mistreatment or abuse by Marist personnel.
The Province’s approach to safeguarding is founded on the Gospel of Jesus and the vision of St Marcellin. As such it is a solemn undertaking.
Read the entire policy:
Please read our current Child Protection Policies and Standards:
Child Protection Standards - A Framework for MSA-Governed Schools
Child Protection Standards - A Framework for Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat