The Policy, Code of Conduct and Ministerial Standards for Church Personnel Working With Minors and Vulnerable Adults
To facilitate healing and reconciliation of those harmed by abuse and to ensure we do our very best to prevent future occurrence of such abuse, the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People decreed that “dioceses are to have policies and procedures in place to respond promptly to any allegation where there is reason to believe that sexual abuse of a minor has occurred.”
The current policy outlining diocesan efforts to create safe environments was adopted by Bishop Guglielmone February 21, 2022. It was written to work in concert with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, A Statement of Episcopal Commitment, and the Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons and is updated as these documents evolve and/or as Church Law requires. Although our policy was developed in 2003, using the Charter as a guideline, the Diocese of Charleston has had functioning policies in place regarding both our response to allegations of abuse, as well as our attempts to create the safest environments possible, since May 1994.
In May 1994, the policy committed to the following goals:
- The protection of the community
- The observance of civil law
- Shared responsibility
- Full disclosure of allegations
- Respect for the individuals involved
Our current policy has evolved from those starting points to become a document that fully reflects the mandates and spirit of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, A Statement of Episcopal Commitment, and the Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons. It addresses:
- Background Screening
- Education
- Our Pastoral Response
- Our Obligation to Report
- Role of the Victim Assistance Coordinator
- Our response to an Allegation of Abuse
- Codes of Conduct
- Confidentiality
It is the policy of the Diocese of Charleston that all church personnel with access to minors or vulnerable adults will read and sign the Code of Conduct Acknowledgement Form. Reading and understanding the policy will reinforce for you our shared commitment to ending abuse, particularly sexual abuse, in our community. It will also engage you personally by defining what is expected of you in your ministry and help you understand your role in creating the safest environment possible for those in our care.