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IICSA published its final Report in October 2022. This website was last updated in January 2023.

IICSA Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

The Roman Catholic Church Case Study: Archdiocese of Birmingham Investigation Report

Annex 2: Glossary

Administrative leave Leave from public ministry imposed on a member of the clergy alleged to have committed abuse pending formal investigation.[1]
Archbishop of Birmingham

The current Archbishop of Birmingham is Archbishop Bernard Longley. He was appointed in October 2009.

Prior to Archbishop Bernard Longley, the position of Archbishop was held by:
June 1947–March 1965. Archbishop Francis Grimshaw (deceased 1965).
October 1965–September 1981. Archbishop George Dwyer (deceased 1987).
March 1982–June 1999. Archbishop Maurice Couve de Murville (deceased 2007).
February 2000–May 2009. Archbishop Vincent Nichols (now the Archbishop of Westminster and Cardinal).[2]

Bishops and archbishops Bishops and archbishops are appointed by the Pope. By choosing them the Pope appoints these men to have episcopal oversight over the faithful in the dioceses. Whoever is the ordaining bishop bestows the episcopal power upon them which comprises three elements: to teach,  to sanctify and to govern (canon 375). No other members of the Catholic Church are endowed with the fullness of these tasks. Unless canon law states otherwise, each bishop is the supreme authority within his own diocese. Each bishop is, however, accountable to the Pope.[3]
Canon Law The system of laws which govern the Catholic Church. Laws are articulated in a code, known as the ‘Code of Canon Law’. The current code is the 1983 Code of Canon Law. It superseded the 1917 Code of Canon Law, which was the first comprehensive codification of canon law in the Latin Church.[4]
Covenants of care Now known as a Safeguarding Plan[5] (see Safeguarding Plan, below)
DBS checks (formerly CRB checks) A check carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service of an individual’s criminal record. Employers can then ask to see this certificate to ensure that they are recruiting suitable people into their organisation.[6] The Disclosure and Barring Service is an organisation that replaced the Criminal Records Bureau and the Independent Safeguarding Authority.[7]
Dioceses Ecclesiastical districts. These are grouped into provinces, and a province is presided over by a metropolitan who is an archbishop.[8]
Holy See The Holy See is the ecclesiastical jurisdiction and administrative apparatus of the Pope.[9] It is located in Vatican City, Italy.[10]
Laicisation The process of dismissal from the clerical state (laicisation), or from a Religious Congregation, in accordance with the norms of Canon Law.[11]
Lay For the purposes of this report, this means not a member of the clergy.
Local authority designated officer (LADO) Individual within the Children’s Services Department of a local authority to whom individuals report allegations or concerns about the protection of children. Responsible under statute for investigating such complaints.
Monsignor Daniel Leonard The Vicar General from 1967 to 1988. He died in 2003.[12]
‘One Church’ approach The commitment by the Catholic Church in England and Wales to using the same policies, procedures, standards and systems in relation to safeguarding.[13]
Paramountcy principle Parents, local authorities and the courts have a duty to safeguard the welfare of children and in legal proceedings it is the best interests of the child that are the primary consideration when determining what action should be taken.[14]
Parishes Within each diocese there are a number of parishes. For example, there are over 200 parishes in the Diocese of Westminster. Each parish is governed by a parish priest who is appointed by the archbishop/bishop of the diocese. A bishop may entrust a Religious Order with a parish, to carry out the apostolic work of the diocese (that is, sanctifying and teaching work), where, for example, there are not enough priests.[15]
Parish priests The parish priest has the responsibility of ensuring the sacramental life of the parish. Parish priests are also responsible for managing the finances of the parish for which they are responsible and for maintaining any church buildings.[16]
Pope The head of the Universal Church.[17]
Presbytery The house where the parish priest and curate live, often adjacent to the parish church.[18]
Safeguarding Plan An agreement between those (clergy/religious or parishioners who wish to remain in the parish) alleged to have committed abuse and the Safeguarding Commission and the bishop/congregation leader. The Safeguarding Plan details out restrictions on ministry intended to protect the public.[19]
Safeguarding representatives Appointed to ensure that child protection policies and procedures are known and followed; that awareness is raised and that safeguarding principles are worked through into everyday practice. The safeguarding representative is also the DBS ID verifier for the parish.[20]
Vicar General The bishop’s deputy for all matters.[21] The present Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Birmingham is Monsignor Timothy Menezes. He was appointed in 2011 by Archbishop Longley.[22]
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