Craig Lodge Community is committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment for everyone who comes to visit or stay with us as part of our community or on retreat. We follow the Scottish Catholic Church's Safeguarding Policy, 'In God's Image'.

Our Diocese of Argyll & the Isles provides Safeguarding contact information.

These guidelines must be followed when a priest is visiting from OUTSIDE the diocese:

Passing through:
1/ Must present Celebret letter to Parish Priest/Retreat Centre Manager

Staying under 2 weeks:
Visiting Priest staying at a Parish/retreat Centre for under two weeks (e.g. doing supply cover or a retreat):
1/ Must present Celebret letter that confirms good standing.
2/ Must also present a Testimonial Letter.
3/ These must be seen by the Parish Priest/Retreat centre manager or parish Safeguarding coordinator (PSC)
4/ If Parish Priest/Retreat centre manager/PSC is not available, then someone must be appointed to meet with the visiting Priest.
5/ A record of every visiting priest must be kept by each Parish / Retreat Centre, using record form.

Staying for over 2 weeks:
1/ Visiting Priest staying for over two weeks (e.g. doing supply cover or retreats).

‍Diocesan Priests coming from within Scotland
1/ Will already have PVG clearance for all of ScotlandWill have had Safeguarding Training

‍Priests from elsewhere in UK
1/ Will have been through the Disclosure process.Must provide a Celebret Letter and a Testimonial Letter stating that they have the ‘equivalent’ to a PVG and have undergone some form of Safeguarding training.
2/ Will need to undergo Safeguarding Training and complete a Disclosure Scotland PVG application.

‍Priests from outside the UK
1/ Must provide a Celebret Letter and a Testimonial Letter stating that they have the ‘equivalent’ to a PVG and have undergone some form of Safeguarding training.
2/ Will need to undergo Safeguarding Training and complete a Disclosure Scotland PVG application.

A celebret and Testimonial Letter will allow the visiting Priest to commence until the PVG and Safeguarding Training have been done.
As Parish Priest / Retreat Centre, you are responsible for visiting Priests.
Testimonial letters should be sent to the Parish Priest/Retreat Centre IN ADVANCE of the planned visit.
It is the visiting Priest's responsibility to ensure a Testimonial letter is provided.
Information on this process will be displayed on the Diocesan website.