One of the distinguishing characteristics of Catherine McAuley’s relationships was her profound respect for the dignity of each person, regardless of their status or circumstance, strengthened most likely by her long association with Catherine Callaghan and her Quaker belief that, “There is that of God in every person”.
Early in Catherine’s adult life, while she was still living at Coolock House, a young servant girl came to her door seeking protection from the master of the house where she was employed. Catherine tried every avenue she knew of, to find the young woman a safe place to stay but found her efforts blocked at every point by the rigid procedures and delay of the organisations set up for that purpose. Sr Mary Harnett, who later recorded the incident, noted that the waiting proved a “calamity” for the young woman and that Catherine herself, never forgot the incident. It is likely that the lasting memory of it was a powerful influence in her decision to build the House of Mercy in Baggot Street.
It is an important reminder to us that the focus of all our efforts as Mercy people, is the wellbeing of those we encounter and that rules and regulations are designed to serve people, not the other way round. As Jesus said to those who criticised his willingness to heal on the sabbath, ‘’ The sabbath was made for people. Not people for the sabbath” (Mark 2:27).
In all our work to ensure that our ministries are places of safety, we need to be checking constantly that the focus is firmly on respect for the innate dignity of all with whom we come into contact, that is, that our safeguarding procedures are both protective and enabling and that as well as providing defense against harm, they also and equally, strengthen the resilience and independence of individuals and groups.
In an article by Hans Zollner SJ and Peter Beer, in La Civilta Cattolica, the writers make the point that
Safety and human dignity are closely related goals of safeguarding. Without safeguarding, people’s dignity is soon jeopardized; without dignity, people’s safety is immediately threatened. The latter is especially the case when safeguarding measures are planned and implemented without adequate involvement of those to be protected …Therefore, any safeguarding initiatives should be ruled out without the involvement of those whose safety it is intended to enable and guarantee. (Safeguarding: The Complex Relationship between Prophecy and the Church, June 2024).
In May this year, the Vatican released a document, on human dignity, known by its Latin name, Dignitas Infinita. The initial three sections of this document examine the development of the principles of human dignity from ancient times to the present. Like most Vatican documents, it requires effort to read but it is well worth that effort.
Central to the church’s understanding of dignity is the belief that all people are made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27), a belief made visible in the life and ministry of Jesus who consistently broke down barriers and restored the dignity of those who were stigmatised and marginalised by his society such as women, children, tax collectors and strangers. It is a commitment which should determine all our interactions with others, both personal and organisational.
The application of this commitment is complex and at time fraught with difficulty, as is evident in the fourth part of the document which applies the principles to issues such as poverty, war, migration, sexual abuse, violence against woman, gender and digital violence. This section has given rise to much controversy and I expect there will be further developments in the future, as the Holy Spirit continues to inspire the church to grow in wisdom and understanding.
As people of Mercy, Safeguarding is much more than compliance. We are all called to deepen our understanding of human dignity and to promote and protect that dignity in all aspects of our ministries, especially on behalf of those who are unable to protect themselves. Together we are called to do this in ways which are consultative, transparent and accountable.
May God, who respects the dignity of all life under all circumstances, give us wisdom and strength to do the same. Amen.
Margery Jackman, Trustee Director