The Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants & Itinerant People (ACMI) is an organisation of the Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore.
Please view the Whistle-blowing Policy of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore below
I. Purpose
Our aim to build up a culture of openness, accountability and integrity. Whilst our internal controls and procedures are designed to deter, prevent or detect improper activities, we recognise that even the best of internal control systems cannot provide absolute safeguards against all irregularities. We want to provide an avenue for all interested parties who have cause to believe that either fraud or suspected fraudulent practice is being perpetrated in the Archdiocese of Singapore (Archdiocese) to come forward and disclose their concerns in good faith without fear of punishment or unfair treatment.
II. Scope
For the purpose of the whistle-blowing policy, lapses or irregularities (wrongdoing) would include:
- Criminal or civil offences (fraud, corruption or theft);
- Misconduct or abuse of authority
- Fraud in preparing, evaluating or reviewing any financial statement, recording and maintenance of the financial statements;
- Actual or suspected deficiencies in or non-compliance with laws and regulations, and internal control procedures;
- Misrepresentation regarding a matter contained or required to be contained in the organisation’s financial records and reports, and
- Any conflict of interest in any activity that is or appears to be opposed to the best interest of the Archdiocese.
III. Responsibility
All Archdiocesan clergy and employees who are aware of possible wrongdoing within the parishes, ministries and organizations of the Archdiocese of Singapore have a responsibility to disclose that information to the Archdiocese via the Chairman of the Archdiocesan Audit Committee.
IV. Reporting Suspected Wrongdoing
Persons with concerns of wrongdoing can seek advice or communicate their concerns in writing to the Archdiocese of Singapore with the following information:
- Parish/Ministry/Organisation and/or location of the suspected wrongdoing;
- Key person(s) involved;
- Nature of the suspected wrongdoing;
- Date/ time or period over which the suspected wrongdoing has occurred;
- Known or estimated value of suspected wrongdoing; and
- Name(s) of person(s) reporting, email address(es) and contact telephone
All communication shall be sent via email, marked “Private and Confidential” and addressed to the Chairman of the Archdiocesan Audit Committee at the email address: whistleblowing@catholic.org.sgIn a scenario, where the complaint is sent via mail, the mail should be marked “Private and Confidential” and must stay sealed until opened by the AAC chairman. The mail should be send to:
Archdiocesan Audit Committee (“AAC”) Chairman
31 Victoria Street
Singapore 187997
V. Handling of Whistle-blowing Cases
1. An acknowledgement will be sent to the whistle-blower within 5 working days of receipt of the report.
2. The Chairman of Archdiocesan Audit Committee shall review the wrongdoing report promptly. He shall ensure the establishment of a fair and impartial investigative process. Where warranted, he may at his discretion, delegate the investigation to an Investigation Committee made up of independent persons who are not affected by the issues raised by the person(s) with concerns of wrongdoing.
Anonymous complaints will be considered at the discretion of the Chairman of the Archdiocesan Audit Committee. Factors to be taken into consideration include:
- Seriousness of the issues raised;
- Credibility of the concern; and
- Likelihood of confirming the allegation from attributable
4.The Archdiocese requires all parties involved in the investigation to provide their full support to the investigative process.
5. A written report on the results of a fraud investigation shall be submitted to the Archdiocesan Audit Committee at a scheduled meeting following the completion of the investigation or at a meeting convened at the discretion of the Chairman of the Archdiocesan Audit Committee for the purpose of considering the results of the investigation.
6. The Archdiocesan Audit Committee may at its discretion table the results of a fraud investigation and report it to the Archbishop and the Financial Administrator.
7. Where necessary, Archbishop may refer the investigation results to the appropriate law enforcement authority and/or regulatory agencies for further action.
VI. Whistle-blower Commitment
1. The Archdiocese is committed to ensuring that persons who in good faith disclose perceived wrongdoing will be protected from any reprisal including adverse employment consequences for Archdiocesan employees.
2. The identity of such persons and their communications shall be accorded the strictest confidentiality by the Archdiocese.