The CSSA confirms safeguarding audit judgements on seven religious life groups

4 August 2025

In the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, seven religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) with the following grades:

Capuchin Franciscans of Great Britain – exemplary

Community of Benedictine Monks of the Solesmes Congregation at Quarr Abbey – met with recommendation

Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Evron – results being achieved

Hospitaller Order of St John of God – comprehensive assurance

Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest – results being achieved

Institute of Our Lady of Mercy – results being achieved

Sisters of the Cross and Passion – firm progress

The Inspectorate for England and Wales report that these religious life groups demonstrate sound progress towards the eight national safeguarding standards. They offered evidence to independent analysts from within the CSSA about how they help keep people safe.

Steve Ashley, Chief Executive Officer, CSSA says: “These baseline results show sound levels of safeguarding in the seven church bodies, including one – Capuchin Franciscans of Great Britain – with the highest grade possible, which we are very pleased to report.

“Each religious life group must either sustain its progress or make significant improvement. Only this way can they assure the public that everything possible is being done to help prevent harm.”

CSSA safeguarding audits for larger religious life groups range on a scale from: ‘below basic,’ ‘basic,’ ‘early progress,’ ‘firm progress,’ ‘comprehensive assurance’ and ‘exemplary.’

For smaller religious life groups, grades range from: ‘not met,’ ‘met with recommendations’ and ‘met.’ In each case, the overall grading represents a combination of their scoring across eight areas of work relating to safeguarding standards.

The CSSA publish the safeguarding audit and inspection results from every Catholic Church body in England and Wales. You can find the audits for religious life groups HERE.

ENDS

More information about the CSSA’s audit and inspection process can be found  HERE

Journalists: to speak with Steve Ashley, CEO, please initially contact Sarah Gleadall: sarah.gleadall@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk