Two independent facilitators have been engaged by the Irish Jesuits to "co-design restorative processes through direct engagement" with those who have been impacted by the abuse of Joseph Marmion.
In early March, the Jesuit Order publicised the name of the former teacher, who is now deceased, to encourage people who may have suffered sexual, emotional and physical abuse to come forward.
When contacted three weeks later by RTE News, a spokesperson for the Order said people were continuing to come forward to the Jesuit Safeguarding Office, looking for support and also with information and concerns.
It was confirmed that "a process of intent listening was taking place" in an effort to "respond adequately and appropriately" to the survivors and those affected by these issues in different ways".
The independent facilitators Barbara Walshe and Catherine O'Connell who have been brought onboard have worked extensively both as practitioners and as academics in the advancement of restorative justice processes according to the Order.
The independent facilitators who were made available from yesterday through the Irish Jesuits website will engage directly with survivors, victims and those who have been impacted.
The Jesuit Safeguarding Office is also getting in touch with those who have contacted them since the naming of Joseph Marmion in early March to provide them with information and contact details regarding the process.
The Irish Jesuit Provincial has said that engaging the independent facilitators places the direction and control of what happens next outside of the Jesuit Order, whilst committing to do all it can, as co-participants, to make the processes as effective as possible.
The Provincial, Father Leonard Moloney, said: "Although we Jesuits have committed to opening ourselves to these processes, we are purposely not involved in creating a methodology. I know that if what happens from here is to achieve the outcomes people hope for, it must be led by the people who were abused and impacted by abuse."
Fr Leonard Moloney has said that in preparation for their participation, the knowledge of Jesuits who worked alongside Joseph Marmion in Belvedere, Clongowes, Crescent, Gardiner Street is being gathered and collated.
"Our determination is that the truth be told as far as is humanly possible, whilst also taking account of the personal privacy rights of the many people who have spoken to us of their abusive experiences and of others who have spoken of how they are impacted.
"Our first duty is towards those who are suffering. We believe the most appropriate means of fulfilling that duty is through these survivor-led processes."
