Syro-Malabar Eparchy – Unscheduled Safeguarding Review

8 September 2026

The CSSA today (8 September) confirmed that it is about to carry out an unscheduled review of safeguarding arrangements of the Syro-Malabar (Catholic) Eparchy of Great Britain. Work will begin week with immediate effect, and the findings will be published in the new year.

This unscheduled review comes after the scheduled safeguarding inspection in July 2026, in which the Inspectorate (CSSA) identified serious concerns about the Eparchy’s safeguarding arrangements. The CSSA team will now carry out an in-depth review of the issues it has identified.

Information provided for the public call for information for the original inspection will also form part of this review. Anyone who would like to offer the CSSA information for the first time, or who would like to add to information they have already provided, is encouraged to get in touch:  email qualityassurance@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk.

Steve Ashley, Chief Executive, CSSA said: “For us to judge that an unscheduled safeguarding review is required, we will hold a reasonable belief that there is a risk of potential harm.  Whilst this is serious, we would like to reassure that we monitor and act on any immediate safeguarding risks, and we seek immediate assurance about action taken by a church body to prevent harm to anyone in contact with them.”

ENDS

Notes:

1. The CSSA will complete the unscheduled review of safeguarding in accordance with their published Inspection and Review Framework.
2. The Inspectorate will publish the inspection and review reports simultaneously.
3. For more information about offering the CSSA information, or what happens next, please read HERE