Carmel of Elijah Safeguarding Commitment Statement and Policy
To be posted on website and in vestibule of Chapel, and to be read by all the Sisters, and by all new members of the community, when they join our Carmel, including live-in aspirants. Each year, the Prioress will remind the community of our Safeguarding commitment by reading through our Commitment Statement and Policy in the presence of all the Sisters.
Carmel of Elijah, Mathoura NSW
Safeguarding Commitment Statement
As a Carmelite community in the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, we are committed to ensuring that all people are respected and treated with the dignity they possess as created in the image and likeness of God. We endeavour to ensure that all who visit our monastery feel safe and we affirm that each person is a gift from God to be valued, cherished, respected and protected from all kinds of harm.
We are committed to:
• Zero tolerance of abuse of children and adults.
• Implementing the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards as they apply to our contemplative community
• Upholding the dignity of all people to establish safe and supportive relationships.
• Maintaining and managing policies and procedures that build a strong culture of safeguarding.
• Supporting anyone who brings forward a suspicion, concern, knowledge, or allegation of current or past abuse.
• Responding appropriately to any matters related to abuse in a sensitive, respectful and in a timely way.
We have documented policies and procedures to promote a strong culture of safeguarding.
• All Sisters and those who assist at our liturgical functions are expected to follow these policies and procedures and contribute to the culture of care and protection within the Church.
• All visiting priests are required to confirm their good standing with the Wilcannia-Forbes Safeguarding Officer and receive permission from the diocese before assisting at our liturgical functions.
• We listen to the voices of children and adults at risk.
• We remain vigilant to emerging risks and opportunities for us to continuously improve our practice.
• Appropriate and regular training is provided to personnel so that they are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities and know how to put policies and procedures into practice, to help protect children and adults at risk from abuse.
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The Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes Safeguarding Manual can be found here.
To report abuse please click here.
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Carmel of Elijah, Mathoura, NSW
Safeguarding Policy
“Speak for those who cannot speak; seek justice for all those on the verge of destruction. Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.”
— Proverbs 31:8-9
The Carmel of Elijah is a community of cloistered contemplative women in the Catholic Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes. As a community we affirm that each person is a gift from God to be valued, cherished, respected and protected from all kinds of harm.
Each sister in the community understands the importance of the specific role she plays, individually and collectively, to ensure the wellbeing and safety of children under 18 years and adults at risk. Each sister also understands that by virtue of her position of trust as a religious she is placed in a position of power in the relationship with people who approach us for prayer support. This power needs to be exercised in a caring, compassionate and non-patronising way that enriches a safe and supportive relationship.
The Prioress will ensure that every member of our community reads and adheres to this Policy. The Prioress will appoint a Community Designated Liaison Person.
In our commitment to living the Gospel, and the words of Jesus to "Let the children come to me and do not hinder them.” (Matt 19:14) we strive to do everything in our power to safeguard them. To assist us in our commitment we adopt and adhere to all Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes Safeguarding policies and the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards. Thus, the Carmel of Elijah takes a zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse.
As contemplative nuns we do not have direct ministry with children or adults at risk. We observe papal enclosure and our contacts with outsiders are limited, due to our use of traditional enclosure walls and grilles, and custom of always being accompanied by another sister in our dealings with outsiders. Our Chapel Nuns observe monastic cloister and are always accompanied by another extern sister when any necessary interaction or conversation with visitors takes place. There may be times when children visit our Monastery and attend our liturgical functions. In this case we ensure that children and adults at risk are accompanied by a responsible adult, teacher or parent. Despite having no direct ministry to children, our Prioress, Subprioress and Chapel Nuns are provided with appropriate and regular training so that they are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities and know how to put policies and procedures into practice.
It is our policy that children under 18 will not assist as altar servers or in other similar roles at our liturgical functions. Our Sacristy is reserved for Priests and ministers.
It may happen from time to time that persons, including children, may approach a priest on our premises to request the sacrament of confession. In such a situation, we have a confessional space available that complies with the requirements of professional standards.
Our Carmelite Monastery has a no photography/video policy. Rarely, at certain liturgical functions we may request a photographer to take photos during ceremonies. No children will be photographed without the written permission of their parents/guardians.
Whilst maintaining confidentiality in all other matters, allegations of child or adult abuse brought to the notice of any member of the Carmel will be passed on to the Statutory Authorities by the Community Designated Liaison Person.
Carmel of Elijah Designated Person: Mother Mariam Joseph OCD Phone (02) 6853 9341
Reporting Abuse
The appropriate people to deal with crimes are the police. If you, or anyone you know, have been abused, please contact the police. Alternatively, you can contact the Safeguarding Office at (02) 6853 9341 or safeguarding@wf.catholic.org.au. You may also want to speak to your Parish Priest who will be able to provide support and guidance.
Contact Information
Police: You can contact the NSW Police through your local police station or Crimestoppers NSW on 1800 333 000. In an emergency call 000
Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ): For all urgent matters regarding a child at imminent risk of significant harm please phone the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111 or 000.
Diocesan Safeguarding Office Contact Person
Anna Sammut – Safeguarding Manager
Phone: (02) 6853 9341
Email: safeguarding@wf.catholic.org.au
Post: PO Box 775, Forbes NSW 2871
What to do if a person comes with a Safeguarding Concern
• Be welcoming and supportive
• Listen to what the person has to say
• Do not question the person
• Do not seek to investigate yourself
• Let the person making the complaint know the concern will be passed on to the relevant Statutory Authority by the Community Designated Liaison Person
• It is essential that you tell the person that their complaint/concern will not be discussed with other members of the community
• The Prioress will be informed but details of the complaint/concern will not be shared
Code of Behaviour
• Treat all children and adults with respect regardless of their race, colour, gender, language, religion, opinions, nationality, ethnicity, social origin, property, disability, sexual orientation or other status
• Respect the boundary of physical and emotional space of another
• Ensure another adult is present when interacting with children or adult at risk
• Avoid all inappropriate communication through the internet, e-mail, text messages or other social media
• Ensure that permission of the parent/guardian and/or the person when taking photographs of children/young people in the case of ministry or otherwise
• Avoid any act that could be perceived as inappropriate
This policy will be displayed in noticeable places at the Monastery.
Signed on behalf of the Carmel of Elijah, Mathoura, NSW by:
Mother Mariam Joseph of Jesus Crucified, OCD (Prioress)
effective date: 6 November 2025 Next Review: 6 November 2030