Effective April 1, 2004
Table of Contents
I. Introduction: A Catholic Response . . .
II. Roles,
Rights, Obligations, and Responsibilities of All the Members of the Roman
Catholic Church
Definitions
Parents
Children
Teenagers
Concerned Members of the Faithful
Employees, Volunteers, Official Ministers, and
Contractors
III. Enforcement
1. Process for Resolving Conflicts with
other Codes of Conduct
2. Process of Reporting and Addressing
Complaints and Allegations
A.
Lack of
Compliance with the Pastoral Code of Conduct
B.
Complaints and/or
Allegations of Sexual Misconduct by Diocesan Personnel
IV. Awareness and Education Resources and Forums
V. Comprehensive Screening and Records
VI. Attachments
(Covenant for All God’s Children)
Created in the image and likeness of God, each and
every human being is endowed with human dignity by virtue of this creation; and
thus, each and every human being is worthy of respect. This reminds all people of good will that
human life is sacred and is worthy of profound respect from the moment of
creation to the moment of natural death.
Nowhere is this profound respect lived out more
vividly or more fully than in the person of Jesus Christ. Second person of the Trinity, divine and
human, God and man, transcendent and immanent, Christ came to proclaim the Good
News of salvation that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Preaching in word and
deed to all people, but especially to the extremely marginalized and most
vulnerable members of human society, He showed all people what it means to live
as one created in the image of the Triune God.
Ministering to the poorest of the poor, the worst of
sinners, the most outcast of outcasts, the most marginalized people on the
fringes of society, the sick forced to dwell in an atmosphere of fear and
foreboding, the people shunned from society and forced to subsist on loneliness
and the scraps falling from the master’s table, and people enduring the
harshest of suffering, Christ proclaimed the Good News of the Kingdom of God,
that they were not forgotten, that they were indeed deeply loved, that they
were brothers and sisters of Christ Himself, that the Kingdom of God was
theirs. In all that He did and
proclaimed, Christ truly loved those he served and was genuinely concerned for the well-being of
each person.
Incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ,
through baptism, we are called to follow in Christ’s footsteps, proclaiming the
Good News of the Kingdom of God and loving each person that we meet, loving
God, neighbor, and self, and being genuinely concerned for the well-being of
each person. Such love and proclamation
is not lived out in isolation; rather it is lived out in community, a Church
community united with Christ, its founder.
Gathered around the table of the Lord in the celebration of the
Eucharist, the summit toward which all our action is directed and the source of
all our initiatives, “there is represented the unity of the faithful, who make
up one body in Christ (Cf. 1 Cor. 10:17). All people are called to this union with
Christ, who is the light of the world: from Him we come, through Him we live,
and towards Him we direct our lives” (Lumen Gentium # 3).
Sadly and tragically, when one member of the Body of
Christ suffers, we all suffer, and it is in the midst of such suffering that we
are called to respond in a truly loving manner. Throughout His earthly life and
ministry, Christ embraced the suffering of those around Him; and nowhere was
this truth shining more brightly than in His sacrifice on the cross. As disciples of Christ, we, too, are called
upon to take up our crosses and follow Christ.
The events of history show us time and again people who have taken up the cross of discipleship and achieved the glory of resurrection and salvation. History has also shown us countless people who have not been true to the call of discipleship, people who have laid down or abandoned the cross of discipleship, people who have stood by and done nothing to help those struggling under the weight of the cross. While always present, at certain moments of history such failures become more apparent, crying out for confession, conversion, healing, and renewal. In our own age, in this time and place, one of the most prominent examples of this is the way in which some members of the Church have harmed and/or betrayed other members of the Church in acts of sexual abuse and lack of appropriate action. Responding to this situation as disciples of Christ means responding as Jesus did to the suffering people of first century Israel: by embracing the cross of the victims of sexual abuse and the crosses carried by their families, relatives, and friends.
Embracing the cross of sexual abuse victims begins
first of all with listening to victims attentively and compassionately. The stories of victims and survivors must be
heard; otherwise, healing, resurrection, and renewal will not follow. This outreach continues with assistance
coordinated by Catholics – the disciples of Christ – everywhere, assistance
that is given through high quality professionals who are experts in the field
of dealing with the traumas of abuse, healing, and recovery. Such outreach also includes listening to the
families, relatives, and friends of abuse victims - who in so many ways are
also abuse victims, and extending the healing and caring touch of compassion in
thought, word, and deed. The road to
recovery and resurrection is a long one, but one that can be made easier with
the caring compassion of Catholics living out the call of discipleship in
concrete works and expressions of love.
Embracing the cross of victims does not end there,
however. It is not enough simply to help
victims and their families, relatives, and friends on the road to resurrection
and healing. We, as Roman Catholics, as
individuals and as Church, must take action to ensure that living and
ministerial environments become safer and that instances of abuse are not
allowed to occur. Such a task and
mission is not simply one for the pope, the bishops, pastors, catechists, youth
ministers, teachers, or another group of people. It is a task for everyone. Each and every person, young and old, has a
role and responsibility in embracing the cross of sexual abuse victims and
working to create and maintain safe environments for all of God’s children,
from simply keeping a watchful eye on children at play to reporting to a
teacher the presence of a suspicious person on a school playground, from
volunteering as an extra chaperone at a youth group activity to teaching one’s
own children the proper response to inappropriate touching.
While some people will shy away from embracing the
cross of sexual abuse victims, wondering why they have to take action when they
themselves are not responsible for committing such heinous crimes, it must be
remembered that Christ identified deeply and profoundly with suffering and
marginalized people: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine,
you did for me” (Mt. 25:40). To turn
away from someone who is suffering is like turning away from Christ
Himself. To help someone who is
suffering is like helping Christ to carry his cross. We are constantly reminded of our obligation
as disciples of Christ to love and care for those who are suffering and/or
marginalized.
Yet our response to child sexual abuse must also
include those accused of perpetrating such crimes. They, too, are created in the image and
likeness of God. They, too, are worthy
of the basic respect due each human being: “Whatever you did for one of these
least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt. 25:40). Love “does not rejoice over wrongdoing, but
rejoices with the truth” (1 Cor. 13:6).
To love those accused of perpetrating child sexual abuse is to ensure
that all allegations are investigated in a manner that is prompt, impartial,
and objective, and respects the human rights and dignity of all people
involved. To love those found guilty of child
sexual abuse is to ensure in a manner that respects basic human dignity that
they are not able to perpetrate such crimes again.
Be it resolved, then, that we Roman Catholics, as a
Church, as a Diocese, and as individual disciples, will embrace the cross of
suffering victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and those of their
families, relatives, and friends; that we will work to create and maintain safe
environments for all God’s children; and that we will work to respect the basic
human rights and human dignity of all God’s people.
As members of the Roman Catholic Church, the mystical
body of Christ, the people of God, we set forth the following principles and
guidelines to guide us in our efforts and actions to create and maintain safe
environments for all God’s people.
These principles and guidelines are to be understood
and interpreted in a manner that is in keeping with the authentic teaching of
the Roman Catholic Church, the 1983 Code of Canon Law, as amended from
time to time, the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,
and other particular law, as amended or revised as necessary.
These principles and guidelines are
meant for all the members of the Church.
As each person is called to proclaim the Good News according to his/her
vocation, so, too, each and every person has a role to play in establishing
safe environments, whether they are parents or official ministers, volunteers
or employees or contractors, children and teenagers, or concerned members of
the Faithful.
Definitions
The
following definitions are helpful for understanding the guidelines established
in this Pastoral Code of Conduct.
a. “Young people,” “child(ren),” and “minor(s)” all refer
to persons under the age of eighteen.
b. “Parents” refers to natural parents, adoptive parents,
stepparents, and/or those having legal custody of a child.
c. “Church ministers,” “employees,” “volunteers,” “church
related ministers,” and “church related personnel” refers to those persons
employed, subcontracting, volunteering, or ministering, on a regular or
continual basis, in Offices, Ministries, Institutions, Schools or other
programs listed in the Connecticut Catholic Directory under the Diocese of
Norwich.
d. “Clergy” refers to Bishops, priests and deacons of the
Roman Catholic Church.
e. “Consecrated Life” and “members of institutes” refers
to members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life,
who customarily embrace the evangelical counsels of poverty, chaste celibacy,
and obedience.
f.
“Laity” refers to
“all Christ’s faithful, except those who are in sacred orders or are members of
a religious state that is recognized by the Church” (Lumen Gentium #
31).
g. “Mandated reporters” refers to those persons who are
mandated to report suspected or actual child physical abuse, child sexual
abuse, and/or child neglect as listed in state mandated reporter statutes
and/or in the Sexual Misconduct Policy of the Diocese of Norwich.
In addition to persons listed in the mandated reporter
statutes, in the Diocese of
Norwich, the following are considered to be mandated reporters: the
assistance coordinator, personnel in the Office of Internal Affairs, the Safe
Environments Administrator, the Bishop’s Delegate for Safe Environments, youth
ministry leaders, and directors, coordinators, and administrators of religious
education.
In summary, the Connecticut General Statutes provide
that the following persons are mandated to report child abuse/neglect:
physicians; surgeons; hospital interns; hospital residents; physician assistants; registered
nurses; licensed practical nurses; medical examiners; dentists; psychologists;
school teachers; school principals; school guidance counselors; social workers;
police officers; members of the clergy; juvenile or adult probation officers;
juvenile or adult parole officers; pharmacists; physical therapists;
optometrists, chiropractors, sexual assault counselors; podiatrists;
osteopaths; substance abuse counselors; mental health professionals; day care
employees; marital/family therapists; licensed professional counselors.
In summary, the New York Social Services Statutes
provide that the following persons are mandated to report child abuse/neglect:
physicians; surgeons; hospital interns; hospital residents; registered physician assistants;
registered nurses; licensed practical nurses; emergency medical technicians;
hospital personnel engaged in the admissions, examination, care or treatment of
persons; Christian Science practitioners; medical examiners; coroners;
dentists; dental hygienists; psychologists; school teachers; school principals;
school guidance counselors; school officials; social workers; social services
workers; police officers; juvenile or adult probation officers; juvenile or
adult parole officers; pharmacists; physical therapists; optometrists,
chiropractors, sexual assault counselors; podiatrists; osteopaths; substance
abuse counselors; alcoholism counselors; peace officers; mental health
professionals; day care employees; marital/family therapists; providers of
family or group family day care; district attorneys; staff working in district
attorney’s offices; licensed professional counselors.
h. “Authorized adults” and “qualified adults”
are those persons over the age of eighteen who have attended a
diocesan-recognized educational program raising awareness regarding child
sexual abuse and how to prevent it and how to establish and maintain safe
environments, who have undergone comprehensive screening, and who have agreed
to the follow the guidelines established in this Pastoral Code of Conduct.
i.
“Non-progressive
measures” are measures that do not necessarily follow one after another in
sequence. Non-progressive measures are
used to address lack of compliance with this Pastoral Code of Conduct.
Parents
The Church teaches that parents have
the most serious duty, and primary right, to do all in their power to assure
the physical, social, cultural, moral and religious upbringing of their
children. Parenting is a difficult and
demanding task. It is a task that
requires the support and assistance of the entire Christian community. Parents, children and Church ministers, must
all work together to assure the safety and welfare of our most precious
resource, our children.
Parents need to take an active, and
even proactive, role in the educational and social activities of their
children. As a parent, you can work with
your child(ren) to assure their safety.
Among other things, you need to:
1. Know your child’s teachers as well as those adults who have some supervisory role in relationship to your child(ren).
2. Satisfy yourself that the adults having contact with your child(ren) have been carefully screened. If you have doubts about whether or not an employee or volunteer was properly screened, talk with the person in charge of the activity, or your pastor, and communicate your concerns. If your doubts concern a school employee, talk with your child’s principal.
3. Visit the classrooms and places where activities are held to assure yourself that these places are safe environments.
4. Become involved in programs and activities at church and school.
5. Teach your child(ren) that some areas of their bodies are private areas that should be touched only by very few trusted people such as a doctor or nurse. Private areas are those parts of our bodies covered by a swimsuit.
6. Encourage your children to speak openly about their experiences and not keep secrets about their relationships with other people. Children need to be taught that they can and should discuss anything that happens to them that makes them feel uncomfortable, confused, or upset in any way. They need to know they can talk to a parent or another trusted adult about feelings such as these.
7. Discourage your child(ren) from accepting inappropriate gifts.
8. Not allow your child(ren)
to travel unchaperoned or stay overnight with adult non-family members
as part of Church or school related activities except with your explicit
written permission.
9. Insist that your child(ren) not be allowed to travel without explicit written permission, given only after careful review of the travel arrangements.
10. Listen carefully and with a discerning ear to what children are saying to one another about the adults around them.
11. Be aware of the Pastoral Code of Conduct in effect for Church ministers and promptly report any violations of the same to the appropriate authorities (see Process of Reporting and Addressing Complaints and Allegations listed under the section entitled Enforcement).
12. Strive
to live lives of truth, holiness, and virtue, treating all human beings as
human persons and not as objects for gratification, power, or advancement; and
teach your children not to treat other people as objects for gratification,
power, or advancement.
Children
Laws and rules are at the service of a community as well as individuals. Given the unique needs of children and teenagers in relation to the rest of the Christian community, it is not surprising that in the Church we place the needs of our children and teenagers first. Our laws and rules are at the service of our children and teenagers.
Children can help maintain a safe environment by
following certain rules. Children need
to know that:
1. We can and should discuss anything that happens to us that makes us feel uncomfortable, confused, or upset in any way. Usually we talk to one of our parents, but we can also talk to a teacher, a school nurse, or another adult we can trust.
2. Some areas of our bodies are private areas. Private areas are those areas of our bodies covered by a swimsuit. These private areas should be touched only by very few people, such as a doctor. If we are touched in a way we do not want to be touched we tell our parents or an adult we trust. We need to remember that if an adult touches us in a place we do not want to be touched, that adult is wrong. It is never a child’s fault when an adult does something wrong.
3. We
do not talk to or ride in cars with people we do not know. We do not accept gifts from adults we do
not know.
4. When we go on field trips, we stay close to each other and we do not wander away from our parents or teachers. We always remember to have permission slips signed by our parents or guardians that allow us to go on field trips. If there is no permission slip, then there is no field trip.
5. If
we see a friend doing something that could be bad for our friend, we tell
our friend to stop. If he or she
keeps doing it, we tell our parents or another adult. If a friend tells us that another person is
making him or her feel uncomfortable, confused, or upset in any way, we tell
this to an adult who can help, like our parents or a teacher.
6. If someone around us makes us uncomfortable or worried, we should tell our parents or another adult we trust.
7. We do not wander off alone to lonely or secluded places. We always keep an adult we trust within sight. Before we leave the area of the adult in charge, we must ask permission of the adult.
8. We treat other people the way we would want to be treated. We do not treat other people as objects. We do not use other people to get what we want.
Teenagers
As stated above, laws and rules are at the service of
a community as well as individuals.
Given the unique needs of children and teenagers in relation to the rest
of the Christian community, it is not surprising that in the Church we place
the needs of our children and teenagers first.
Our laws and rules are at the service of our children and teenagers.
Teenagers can also help create and
maintain safe environments. As a
teenager, you need to be aware that:
1. Your body is your own. No one should touch you in a way you do not want to be touched. If another person touches you inappropriately, that person is wrong and should be reported to the proper authorities.
2. You should not accept expensive gifts from non-family members. You should not accept food, drinks, or rides from people you do not know well.
3. When attending Church functions, expect to be chaperoned and have behavioral expectations made clear to you. When attending an activity you need to advise the adult(s) in charge before you leave the activity. If this is not occurring, then either the people in charge or your parents should be told.
4. You must not stay overnight in church-owned or operated facilities without chaperones and the written permission of your parents.
5. Adolescents must not bring or consume illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages on Church property. Any Church ministers, employees, or volunteers who provide drugs or alcohol to teenagers are acting illegally and should be reported promptly to both Church and civil authorities.
6. Be cautious when dealing with over friendly adults, those who place themselves on the same level as adolescents, those who seem to relate better to adolescents than to adults, those who suggest activities of which parents would not approve. Similarly, exercise caution around any adult who takes pictures extensively of adolescents, or offers explicit pornographic materials to teenagers. Such behavior should be reported immediately to parents or other trusted adults. Overlooking or thinking of such behavior as harmless can pose a real threat to everyone in the community.
7. Church personnel have certain limitations on their behavior. Church ministers, workers, and volunteers are not allowed to give expensive gifts to young people. They are not allowed to travel unchaperoned with young people. They are not allowed to touch young people in unacceptable ways. Generally, except in certain limited situations, it is expected that there will be at least two adults present for youth activities. If you observe violations of these rules by Church personnel, you should report those violations to your parents or appropriate Church authorities (see Process of Reporting and Addressing Complaints and Allegations listed under the section entitled Enforcement).
8. Reporting violations of this Pastoral Code of Conduct may not be a popular thing to do. However, the purpose of this Code of Conduct is to assure the safety of people young and older. The Church personnel who may be disregarding these provisions are wrong and may pose a real threat to the health and safety of others. None of us can look the other way and pretend we do not see what is happening.
9. Strive to live lives of truth, holiness, and virtue, treating all human beings as human persons and not as objects for gratification, power, or advancement.
Concerned Members of the Faithful
The safety of children concerns all
of the Christian faithful, whether or not they have young children, and whether
or not they are working or volunteering for the Church. Our children are our most precious
resource. They are the present and
future of the Church and the future of our society. To allow them to be harmed, harms all of us
irreparably.
How can all of the Christian faithful help protect our
children? As a concerned member of the
Christian Faithful, you can take the following steps:
1. Take the time to learn what is happening in your parish to create and maintain a safe environment.
2. Ask questions of parish employees and volunteers regarding the Safe Environment practices in the parish. These practices must include: (a) education for parents, children, employees and volunteers regarding the sexual abuse of children; (b) identifying the warning signs that children may be abused; (c) an awareness of adult behaviors which can signal a danger to children; (d) controlling access to children; and (e) careful monitoring and supervision of children and parish programs.
3. Keep your eyes and ears open. Children talk among themselves. Listen carefully and with a discerning ear to what is being said. If an adult is making them uncomfortable this should be brought to the attention of the proper authorities.
4. A child who comes from a dysfunctional home is exceptionally vulnerable. If there is conflict, divorce, abuse, alcohol or drug dependency in a child’s home, be aware of it and help and support that child in an appropriate manner. Watch for changes in the child’s behavior, including silence, withdrawal, acting out, and/or slumping grades.
5. Notice adults who are overly friendly or who place themselves on the same level as adolescents or young children, those who seem to relate better to adolescents or children than to adults, those who suggest activities of which parents would not approve. Observe any adult who takes pictures extensively and/or exclusively of adolescents; this behavior could signal problems and should be reported to the appropriate authorities. If an adult offers explicit pornographic materials to teenagers, report such behavior to the appropriate authorities.
6. Understand the Church’s efforts when employment or volunteer status is denied to an individual. It is important to appreciate that: (a) such a decision is made based upon a good faith concern for the welfare of children and of our community; and (b) those making the decision may have access to confidential information which they may not legally be allowed to release or disclose. While an individual may not be prevented from challenging the Church’s decisions, the Church is constrained from responding or releasing any confidential information it has acquired as the result of a screening process.
7. When an allegation is made against any adult, we all must be concerned for that person’s right to due process and a fair hearing. We all should presume innocence until guilt is proven in some definitive manner.
8. Similarly, we need to respect the right of all of the People of God to a good name and reputation. Innuendo, suggestive remarks, snide comments, stereotyping, and generalizations can do just as much damage to a person’s reputation as an ad in a newspaper. We should not place ourselves in the position of judging either accuser or accused unless or until we have access to all of the facts in any given situation.
9. Familiarize yourself with the Pastoral Code of Conduct for the Diocese of Norwich. Know the rights and obligations of all of the members of the Church community. If you see any member of the community failing in his or her responsibilities, bring it to the attention of the proper authorities (see Process of Reporting and Addressing Complaints and Allegations listed under the section entitled Enforcement).
10. Strive to live lives of truth, holiness, and virtue, treating all human beings as human persons and not as objects for gratification, power, or advancement.
Employees, Volunteers, Official Ministers, and Contractors
If, indeed, the Church’s laws and
rules are at the service of children and their parents, those who engage in
ministries on behalf of the Church must be equally at the service of children
and their parents. Whether it is the
Bishop or Pastors, assistant pastors or deacons, those in consecrated life or
dedicated lay people, we all want to teach and guide children as safely and
effectively as possible. It does not
matter if those in ministry are employees or volunteers, the obligations are
the same. What can we do to assure a
safe environment in Catholic churches, schools, and institutions? We can follow the following guidelines.
1. The Bishop will work to protect children and youth, devoting the resources and personnel necessary to accomplish that task. He will do his best to put into positions of trust only those who share his commitment to protecting children and youth. He will keep mechanisms in place to deal promptly with allegations of misconduct made against diocesan personnel, implementing the provisions of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The Bishop will cooperate with public authorities, assuring that diocesan officials abide by all civilly mandated reporting requirements and other pertinent state statutes. He will demonstrate a commitment to transparency and openness, while respecting the rights of both alleged victims and alleged perpetrators.
2. The Bishop, priests, deacons, lay ministers, members of institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life, employees, and volunteers will be expected to fulfill the tasks confided to them in a manner that is respectful toward others. The pastoral relationship is one that should never be exploited by any minister, employee or volunteer for his or her own benefit. The people we serve have the right to expect that no one will be physically, sexually, or emotionally abused, neglected, or exploited, by Church related personnel.
3. The Bishop, priests, deacons, lay ministers, members of institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life, employees, and volunteers will be expected to be familiar with the Pastoral Code of Conduct of the Diocese of Norwich and to abide by its provisions.
4. The
Bishop (or his delegate), priests, deacons, lay ministers, members of
institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life, employees, and
volunteers who are in ministry positions of leadership or supervision are
obliged to listen attentively to concerns raised in regard to the Pastoral
Code of Conduct or compliance with the Code and to properly address any
lack of compliance in accord with the process of reporting and addressing
complaints and allegations as found in the section entitled Enforcement.
5. It is
the goal of all volunteers, official ministers, employees, and contractors to:
·
create and
maintain safe environments for minors and adults;
·
ensure that no
minor is alone with an adult and no adult is alone with a minor except in
emergency situations or during the Sacrament of penance;
·
strive not to
place oneself in a vulnerable or unsafe position.
In efforts toward achieving this goal, all volunteers, official ministers, employees, and contractors who have contact with minors under age eighteen – and especially adult leaders (whether clergy or laity) of youth activities - in Catholic parishes, schools, agencies, or institutions must adhere to the following principles:
A. Two adults should normally be present when working with children or teenagers.
B. At least one of the two adults working with children and/or teenagers must have read and agreed to abide by this Pastoral Code of Conduct, be aware of and know how to create and/or maintain a safe environment for children and adults, and have undergone comprehensive screening.
C. When more than two adults are required by the nature of an activity (e.g., dance, field trip, overnight school trip, etc.), adults should be paired so that one adult always has the requisite commitment, training, and screening.
D. When the presence of two adults is not possible, such as medical emergencies, urgent or emergency situations, sacramental confession, or counseling and spiritual direction, other safe environment measures should be utilized, such as remaining visible to another adult or assuring that the adult involved has the requisite commitment, training and screening.
E. Adult leaders should know the location of the young people confided to their care immediately before, during, and after any Church-sponsored activity.
F. When transporting children and/or teenagers, drivers need to undergo a motor vehicle record check as part of their comprehensive screening. In light of this, it is strongly recommended that professional bus companies be used for transporting minors whenever possible.
In
certain instances, exceptions to the above principles may be granted by the
Office for Safe Environments after an application for an exception is placed
with this office. In order for
exceptions to be granted, proof must be provided that safe environments have
been created and are being maintained, that personnel involved have the
requisite training or its equivalent and are committed to maintaining safe
environments, and that screening meets or exceeds standards outlined in the
diocesan comprehensive screening policy.
6. Signed parental consent forms are a necessity when transporting young people as part of a Church group. Similarly, each minor must have a consent form/permission slip signed by his or her parent or guardian to participate in a youth activity.
7. Any travel with an unrelated child (or children) by authorized Church-related personnel may only occur when it is part of a Church-sponsored, chaperoned activity, with the express written permission of the young person’s parents, and when there is a second authorized adult in the same vehicle.
8. Minors ministering to or working with
other minors must be supervised by at least one adult who has the requisite
commitment, training, and screening. It
is strongly recommended that two adults be present during such activities
and/or ministries.
9. Touching must be appropriate and initiated by the person being ministered to. In certain very visible situations, age‑appropriate touching may be initiated by the minister, such as shaking hands before and after Mass.
10. Ministers, employees, and volunteers must refrain from giving, or receiving, expensive gifts to, or from, young people without express parental consent.
11. Under no circumstances may an
unrelated young person stay overnight in a rectory.
12. The use of illegal drugs by Church related personnel is strictly prohibited. Church ministers, employees, or volunteers who provide, share, or offer illegal drugs, controlled substances, or alcohol, to young people will be terminated and removed from office or ministry and must be reported to the proper civil and church authorities.
13. Boundaries between personal/living space and public space must be clear and maintained at all times. As a rule, personal living space in rectories is not to be used for parish/school ministries or functions.
14. Proper behavioral expectations of minors under age eighteen must be communicated to them prior to the start of the activity.
15. Private conversations with young people should be considered confidential except insofar as may be necessary to fulfill diocesan and state mandated reporting requirements and/or to protect or save someone's life.
16. Discipline in Catholic parishes, schools and institutions should respect the dignity of each child. It is not acceptable to strike, spank, shake or slap a child. When it is necessary to discipline a child, such discipline should be thoughtful, measured and restrained.
17. Strive to live lives of truth, holiness, and virtue, treating all human beings as human persons and not as objects for gratification, power, or advancement.
III.
Enforcement
1. Process for Resolving
Conflicts with other Codes of Conduct
Within the Diocese of Norwich, there exist various
institutions that have their own codes of conduct. In many instances, these codes of conduct
reflect guidelines and standards that are professionally, ecclesiastically,
and/or civilly mandated. In some
instances, there may be conflicts between these codes of conduct and the Pastoral
Code of Conduct. Instances of
conflicts that arise are to be addressed in the following manner:
1. On a copy of the institutional/school code of conduct, highlight the area(s) that conflict(s) with the Pastoral Code of Conduct.
2. On a copy of the Pastoral Code of Conduct, highlight the area(s) that conflict(s) with the institutional/school code of conduct.
3. On a separate sheet of paper, briefly state what the issue of conflict is.
4. Send the following items to the Office for Safe Environments:
i. the highlighted
institutional/school code of conduct;
ii. the highlighted Pastoral Code of Conduct;
iii. and the sheet stating the issues of conflict to the
Office for Safe
Environments.
5. Upon receiving the copies of the codes of conduct and
the sheet of paper listing the issues of conflict, the Office of Safe
Environments will review the materials and respond by letter stating how the
two codes of conduct are to be reconciled.
6. While the codes of conduct are being reviewed by the
Office of Safe Environments, those areas of the Pastoral Code of Conduct
in conflict with the institutional/school code of conduct are suspended. This suspension is lifted once the letter
reconciling the two codes is received by the institution/school.
7. If the institution/school wishes to appeal the
decision of the Office of Safe
Environments, they may do so in writing by contacting the Bishop's
Delegate for Safe Environments.
2. Process of Reporting and
Addressing Complaints and Allegations
As Roman Catholics and as Americans, we believe that people have a right to be judged according to due process of law. We also believe, as Roman Catholics and Americans, that people have a right to privacy and their good reputation. Furthermore, as Roman Catholics we believe that all of these rights must be balanced against the common good of humanity which strives to help all human beings reach their fullest potential as human persons. In order for all of these things to occur, safe environments are a necessity; thus, lack of compliance and/or sexual misconduct by diocesan personnel needs to be addressed and reported immediately. Reports of sexual misconduct by diocesan personnel or lack of compliance with the Pastoral Code of Conduct are made in the following manner.
A.
Lack of Compliance with the Pastoral Code of Conduct
Lack of compliance with the Pastoral
Code of Conduct needs to be reported and addressed. When reporting lack of compliance, whether
suspected or actual, report first to the supervisor of the person whose
behavior is in question. If it concerns
the supervisor of a parish activity or ministry, report it to the pastor or
administrator. If it concerns the pastor
or administrator, report it to the Chancellor or Vicar General at (860) 887‑9294. If it concerns a teacher or a supervisor of
an activity in a Catholic school, report it to the principal. If it concerns the principal, report it to
the superintendent. If it concerns the
superintendent, report it to the Chancellor or Vicar General at (860) 887-9294.
In no circumstances should
suspected or actual lack of compliance be discussed or reported to anyone other
than those mentioned. The only exception
to this is in emergency situations in which someone's life may be in danger; in
those instances, consult the Office for Safe Environments or other people who
are knowledgeable of professional conduct.
Lack of compliance will be
addressed and/or corrected by the supervisor of the person whose behavior is in
question, using various non‑progressive measures depending upon the
severity and/or frequency of the lack of compliance. Such non‑progressive measures include
written warnings, verbal warnings, suspension from ministry, and/or temporary
or permanent removal from ministry. When
feasible, the fact of addressing the alleged or actual infraction will be
communicated to the person reporting the lack of compliance.
B.
Complaints and/or Allegations of Sexual Misconduct by Diocesan Personnel
Allegations of sexual misconduct
by diocesan personnel are to be reported to civil and church authorities. If it is an emergency situation in which
someone's life is in danger, contact the local police immediately and then
contact the reporting line of the Office of Internal Affairs of the Diocese of
Norwich at 1‑800‑624‑7407 or (860) 889‑4455. If it is a non-emergency situation, contact
the hotline of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families at
1-800-842-2288, or a law enforcement agency and then contact the diocesan
reporting line. If a mandated reporter
is reporting the allegation, he/she must also call the Connecticut Department
of Children and Families Hotline in accordance with mandated reporting
requirements.
Policy and procedures for
addressing allegations of sexual misconduct by people affiliated with the
Diocese of Norwich, its parishes, schools, and other institutions, are found in
the Diocese of Norwich Sexual Misconduct Policy.
IV.
Review
and Revisions
At least once each year, the Pastoral Code of Conduct,
the Comprehensive Screening Policy, and the Sexual Misconduct Policy shall
be reviewed and any needed revisions shall be made to make these documents more
effective.
To fulfill this responsibility and accomplish this
task, there shall be a Policy Review Board whose members are appointed by and
serve at the discretion of the Bishop of Norwich. The primary responsibility of this Board is
to assist the Bishop in reviewing and revising the Pastoral Code of Conduct,
the Comprehensive Screening Policy, and the Sexual Misconduct Policy. Once the first members of the board have
been appointed, the Bishop will, in the future and whenever possible, hear
existing members of the Policy Review Board regarding future appointments.
1. Membership. The Policy Review Board shall consist of no
fewer than five (5) and no more than nine (9) members. The membership shall reflect the diversity of
the population within the territory of the Diocese of Norwich.
2. Term. The initial appointments to the Board shall
be for staggered terms of one, two, and three years. Thereafter, appointments shall be for a term
of three (3) years or until a successor is appointed.
3. Officers. The Bishop shall designate one member of the
Board to serve as chairperson and another to serve as secretary, each for one
year terms. The chairperson will
ordinarily call and preside at meetings of the Board. The secretary will keep minutes of the
meetings.
4. Relationship
to Bishop. The Policy Review Board
will serve the Bishop directly and shall be directly responsible to him.
5. Compensation. Members of the Board shall serve without
compensation. They may, however, be
reimbursed for necessary expenses at the discretion of the Bishop.
6. Quorum. Five (5) members of the Board shall
constitute a quorum for business.
7. Meetings.
A. Generally. The Policy Review Board shall meet as often
as necessary to perform its duties. At
the minimum this Board will meet at least once a year.
B. Attendance. Attendance at the Board meetings shall be
limited to the Bishop and members of the Board unless the Bishop determines
otherwise.
C. Nature
of the meetings. The meetings of the
Policy Review Board are intended to be sessions at which the members receive
information, deliberate, and formulate code and policy recommendations for the
Bishop of the diocese.
8. Duties. The Policy Review Board shall have the
following duties:
·
to evaluate the
current Pastoral Code of Conduct, the Comprehensive Screening Policy,
and the Sexual Misconduct Policy and offer the Bishop suggestions for
improving these documents so as to make them more effective.
·
to assist in the
drafting process of revised codes and/or policies.
V.
Awareness
and Education Resources and Forums
The Diocese of Norwich utilizes several educational
and/or formational resources and forums to increase awareness of the issue of
child sexual abuse and to educate people in how to address and respond to the issue. Such resources and forums include:
·
The VIRTUS
program, entitled Protecting God's Children for Adults;
·
Pamphlets and
brochures describing safe environments, the Sexual Misconduct Policy of
the Diocese of Norwich, the Pastoral Code of Conduct, comprehensive
screening of employees and volunteers affiliated with the Diocese, and other
topics;
·
Church bulletin
inserts on topics related to safe environments;
·
Articles in the
diocesan newspaper, the Four County Catholic;
·
The
diocesan website, found at www.norwichdiocese.org;
·
Educational
and/or formational material and workshops that are included as part of various
ongoing priestly, seminarian, deacon, and/or lay ministry formation;
·
Other
diocesan-sponsored programs and forums as determined by the Bishop’s Delegate
for Safe Environments and the Safe Environments Administrator in conjunction
with other appropriate offices such as mandated reporter training or catechist
workshops.
VI.
Comprehensive
Screening and Records
The Diocese of Norwich is committed to comprehensive
screening of all of its employees, individual contractors, and volunteers. Comprehensive screening includes:
·
A written
application form with a signed statement;
·
Reference checks
with telephone contact;
·
Personal
interview;
·
Observations of
the person's conduct and behavior;
·
Criminal
background check with the consent of the person being investigated, including
Connecticut State criminal record check, sex offender registry check,
Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) record check, motor
vehicle record check if transporting minors, and checks with other states if
necessary.
Information obtained during criminal background checks
will be kept in secure files in the Office for Safe Environments in accordance
with the comprehensive screening policy of the Diocese of Norwich.
VII.
Attachments
Covenant for All God’s Children
The following covenant is intended as a visible,
concrete expression and resolution to do what we can to provide safe
environments for all God’s children.
Each and every Catholic is invited to sign this covenant and to return
the signed form to their parish, school, or institution. Signers under age eighteen must have a parent
or guardian sign as at least one of the witnesses.
All employees, volunteers, and contractors of the
Diocese of Norwich or its parishes, schools, or institutions, are required to
sign this covenant by virtue of their ministry and/or employment.
This covenant is to be renewed each year. Signed covenants need to be kept on file for
at least one year but never more than two years.
Please contact your parish, school, or institution to
sign a copy of the Covenant for All God’s Children indicating your
commitment to safe environments.