According to reports, each diocese in Ireland has been instructed to introduce specific guidelines regarding the handling photographic material of children while on church grounds.
Such guidelines stem from the ‘Safeguarding Standards’ guidelines, introduced by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in 2008. These guidelines were established in response to the clerical abuse scandals.
These standards expressly stipulate that each diocese must have robust child protection policies in place.
Annette O’Donnell, spokeswoman for the Dublin Archdiocese, said the guidelines have two goals: Child protection, and also the prevention of any distraction from the ceremonies themselves.