SAFEGUARDING

SECULAR ORDER OF DISCALCED CARMELITES IN IRELAND

SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT (2026)

The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS) in Ireland is committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all. We fully adopt A Safe and Welcoming Church: Safeguarding Children Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland (2024) and support the safeguarding mission of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

Although OCDS communities have adult-only membership and no ministry with children, we recognise our shared responsibility to uphold the dignity of every person and to respond appropriately should any safeguarding concern ever arise involving a child or a vulnerable adult.

Further safeguarding information: https://ocd.ie/safeguarding-ireland/

We afirm the safeguarding commitment of the Discalced Carmelite Province and join in its pledge to ensure that Church environments are places of care, integrity, and accountability. If a member becomes aware of a safeguarding concern, they must report it immediately to the Designated Liaison Person (DLP) and cooperate fully with Church and statutory processes.

Contact Details

Designated Liaison Person (DLP) Mr John Sheridan Tel: 0044 7776 321866 Email: dlp@ocd.ie

Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP) Fr Vincent O’Hara, OCD

Tel: 087 6755850 Email: vincent.ohara@gmail.com

(Approved by National Council, 29 August 2026)

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SECULAR ORDER OF DISCALCED CARMELITES IN IRELAND

SAFEGUARDING POLICY (2026)

This policy outlines the proportionate safeguarding responsibilities of the Secular Order of
Discalced Carmelites (OCDS) in Ireland. The OCDS adopts and follows A Safe and Welcoming
Church: Safeguarding Children Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland (2024).

1. Context

The OCDS:

  • has adult-only membership
  • conducts no ministry with children
  • organises no activities involving minors
  • operates as a Table 1 / Category 1 Church body

Safeguarding responsibilities are governance-level only

  1. Adult-Only Participation
    OCDS meetings, formation sessions, retreats, and community gatherings are for adults.
    These regular OCDS activities are not suitable for children, and children should not attend OCDS meetings.

Occasional Attendance of Children at Liturgies or Celebrations

It is recognised that children may be present at public liturgies or family celebrations connected with OCDS life (for example, Christmas Masses, parish events to promote the brown scapular or Masses for Reception into Formation, First Promise, or Definitive Promise). In these situations, children attend with their parents or guardians, and OCDS members do not provide supervision or ministry to children. The adult-only nature of OCDS meetings remains unchanged.


No member may undertake child-related ministry in the name of the OCDS

  1. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns
    If a member becomes aware of a concern involving a child or a vulnerable adult, they must:
  • report immediately to the DLP or Deputy DLP
  • not investigate, question, or seek additional information
  • maintain confidentiality
  • cooperate with Church and statutory processes.
  1. Role of OCDS Community Councils
    If a concern is brought to a council:
  • the council listens briefly and respectfully
  • makes a minimal note (date, time, name of reporter, one-sentence description)
  • sends the note to the DLP
  • retains no copy locally
    Councils must also:
  • ensure members know how to report concerns
  • maintain up-to-date DLP contact details
  • confirm annually that the community has no ministry with children.
  1. Adults Who May Be at Risk
    OCDS communities are adult-only, but this does not mean that every adult is free from circumstances that may increase vulnerability. Some members may experience:
  • disability or illness
  • cognitive impairment
  • bereavement or emotional distress
  • dependency on another member
  • social isolation
  • domestic abuse
  • financial pressure
  • undue spiritual influence

These circumstances do not, in themselves, constitute a safeguarding concern. OCDS is not required to assess or label any member as “vulnerable,” and ordinary pastoral situations should be handled through normal community support.
A safeguarding concern arises only when there is actual or suspected abuse, exploitation, coercion, or immediate danger involving an adult. In such cases, the concern must be reported promptly to the DLP or Deputy DLP.
Our role is awareness, respectful listening, and referral, not intervention, counselling, or risk assessment.

  1. Communication of Safeguarding Information
    To ensure transparency and awareness:
  • safeguarding documents (Statement, Policy, Member Leaflet) will be published on the OCDS website: https://secularcarmelireland.com/
  • updated safeguarding information is circulated annually to all OCDS communities and members

DLP/Deputy DLP contact details are included in all safeguarding communications.

  1. Contact Details
    DLP: Mr John Sheridan — Tel: 0044 7776 321866 — Email: dlp@ocd.ie
    DDLP: Fr Vincent O’Hara, OCD — Tel: 087 6755850 — Email: vincent.ohara@gmail.com

Safeguarding resources: https://ocd.ie/safeguarding-ireland/

8 Definitions
Terms used in this policy have the meaning assigned in A Safe and Welcoming Church (2024).

  1. Review
    Reviewed annually by the OCDS National Council.

(Approved by National Council, 29 August 2026)