Sr Frances Orchard CJ appointed as Religious Safeguarding Lead

 Sr Frances Orchard CJ, a member of the Congregation of Jesus, is taking on the new role of Religious Safeguarding Lead, a post created in response to IICSA’s recommendation for there to be a lead Bishop and a lead Religious for safeguarding within the Catholic Church.

It follows a nine-month period in which Fr David Smolira SJ has operated as implementation Lead for Religious in response to the review of safeguarding in the Church by Dr Ian Elliott, which called for new structures for safeguarding to be established in the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Fr Smolira has been a critical part of the implementation of the new safeguarding structures and systems for Religious. He has worked for and with Religious to implement the changes, and to ensure that their questions, concerns and needs are heard and understood. The newly established Religious Life Safeguarding Service is now in existence, though it will be some time before it is fully operational. The RLSS will offer a full safeguarding service designed specifically for Religious Congregations, including case work and the provision of training.  Anne O’Brien who is the current chair of the Hexham and Newcastle diocesan safeguarding commission has recently been appointed as the first Chair of the RLSS.

Sr Frances Orchard holds a degree in History (London), a Masters in Catholic School leadership (Surrey) and has a professional background in educational leadership and consultancy. Sr Frances has served as Vicar General of her congregation in Rome, and more recently as Provincial Superior, and Vice-President of the Conference of Religious of England and Wales. At various times she has been a governor/trustee of seven schools in total, and has first-hand experience of safeguarding issues. Sr Frances commented: “I am privileged to be entrusted with taking forward this new role and will endeavour to build on the excellent foundation laid by Fr David; safeguarding is an essential part of our Catholic belief and should be focussed on the needs of survivors.”