1. Introductions: This summary report covers the last two meetings of the committee held in April and June 2025. In attendance at both meetings the first in person and second virtually were regular committee members: Mrs Fiona Bateman, Mr. James Reilly (Chair), Mr Jim Gallagher, Mrs Julie Ashby-Ellis, Fr Paul O’Reilly SJ, Fr David Smolira SJ, Fr Provincial and Mrs Nadra Gadeed. Mrs Fiona Robb supported taking the minutes of the non-confidential items. Approval was given to minutes of the meetings on February 4 th and April 8th, and the action log reviewed with future actions recorded. The April meeting was an extraordinary session held at Manresa House, Birmingham with colleagues from the Irish Province: Saoirse Fox, Safeguarding and Professional Standards Delegate and Fr Terry Howard SJ their Socius. The main item on the agenda was to share the experience which resulted in the production of the report entitled: Fr Joseph Marmion SJ. His abuse, the harm caused and Jesuit accountability a narrative record. Key points are captured in section 3.
2. Work with Victim/Survivors and Safety Management Plans: In the second part of the April meeting and the commencement of the June meeting the committee reviewed the current work where Nadra Gadeed reported on her work with XX victim/survivors of which XX are historical where the perpetrator is deceased.. In relation to safeguarding management plans, JAE reported that there are no Jesuits subject to safety management plans. and appropriate remedial action has been taken.
3. Key Points from Marmion Report discussion. At its June meeting the committee received notes and a four-page written summary of the discussion with our Irish Colleagues which captured learning points and areas for further reflection and action. A complaint made in February 2019 regarding the abuse of pupil by Fr Joseph Marmion SJ (then deceased) in Belvedere College in the 1970’s resulted in an evolving process over three years culminating in the publication of the
report in XX {link}. This report was the product of an innovative collaboration between a representative group of victim/survivors, the Irish Province and three Irish Jesuit schools. This collaboration was facilitated by professional practioners in restorative justice methodologies who were commissioned by the province but acted independently.
In the course of this process, the provincial became convinced of the benefits in reaching victim/survivors by publicly naming Joseph Marmion and two other deceased Jesuits in March 2021 and March 2022. The publicity achieved resulted in 150 complaints being received 50% of which related to Jesuits and the rest to lay staff mostly at Belvedere College but extended to other Irish Jesuit schools. Prior to this process safeguarding complaints had related to ministry settings other than schools in contrast to those which emerged for other orders in Ireland as the abuse scandal unfolded.
Investigations are continuing into complaints at Mount St Mary’s College which at the time of the meeting remains under the leadership of interim head, Karen Keeton. Since the November update on this unduly protracted process under the auspices of the school governors, there is once again concerning indications on how this matter is being progressed by the relevant governors. In March a further LADO and statutory bodies meeting is due to review the outcome of the review and disciplinary investigation.
{Subsequent to the TSC February meeting JAE has updated the Provincial and others regarding the decisions of the MSM chair of governors to agree a settlement, resignation and reference with the Headteacher, who was subject to the disciplinary investigation. The deputy head has been appointed Headteacher. She has also updated on the reaction of the LADO and statutory bodies meeting with the chair and one other governor, in which dismay at these decisions has been expressed by all parties who are now considering further statutory action in relation to the school expressing the view that they do not regard it to safe for children under its current leadership. Trustees will no doubt be updated on these very worrisome developments which reinforce the concerns the committee has been expressing throughout in regard to the shortcomings in governance at the school and the reputational and other possible liabilities for the province.
These very concerning developments further reinforce the recommendations the committee made to the last Trustees’ meeting to commission a formal review of the statement of collaboration and other undertakings which exist between the Province and the independent trust schools. Secondly, the committee also recommended that Fr Provincial and Trustees obtain from legal advisors a definitive position on the legal obligations and powers that pertain to Fr Provincial and Trustees in relation to all the relevant legal arrangements pertaining to the governance of the schools. It is hoped that these will now be supported by the Trustees and progressed in a timely manner.}
4. Other Matters. In this shortened meeting other matters arising included:
The date of the next meeting of the Committee is Tuesday 8 th April 2025.
