Close
Close
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.
Skip to Content

Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough Logo

Contact Us Main menu icon
View our Twitter Page View our Facebook Page View our YouTube Page View our Instagram Page
Donate
  • How Do I Find...
    • A Parish
    • A Priest
    • Adoration of the Eucharist Nearest Me
    • Annulment Information
    • Baptism Information
    • Catholic Health Care
    • Catholic Herald Diocesan Magazine
    • Catholic Schools
    • Clergy Abuse Reporting Guidelines
    • Confession Times Nearest to Me
    • Contact Information
    • Diocesan Pastoral Centre Location and Staff
    • Diocesan Sacramental Preparation Guidelines
    • Lay Organizations in the Diocese
    • Marriage Information
    • Mass Times
    • Policies
    • Parishes
    • Peterborough Vocations Office
    • View More...
  • Life and Faith
    • Ask a Priest
    • Becoming Catholic
    • Catholic Education
    • Catholic Health Care
    • Chaplaincy
    • Ecumenism
    • End of Life
    • Events Calendar
    • Faith Formation in the Diocese and Parishes
    • Lay Associations
    • Mass
    • Permanent Diaconate Formation Program
    • Prayer Life of the Church
    • Respect Life
    • Sacraments
    • Spiritual Formation and Retreat Programs
    • The Church in the World
    • Truth and Reconciliation
    • Vocations
  • Get Involved
    • Called to be a Deacon
    • Care of Creation
    • Charities and Donations
    • Ecumenical and Interreligious Outreach
    • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Indigenous Peoples Outreach
    • Ministry Program
    • Organizations in the Diocese
    • Parish Ministry
    • Pilgrimages and Catholic Travel
    • Prison Visitation
    • Pro Life
    • Refugees
    • Responsible Ministry and Policies
    • Seniors
    • Volunteering
    • Youth and Young Adults
  • About Us
    • Accessibility
    • Bishop
    • Catholic Herald Diocesan Magazine
    • Clergy
    • Connect
    • Diocesan Committees
    • Diocesan Pastoral Centre
    • Diocesan Youth Commission
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Financial Reports of the Diocese
    • Geography of the Diocese
    • History of the Diocese
    • News
    • Parishes
    • Pastoral Plan
    • Permanent Deacons
    • Policies
    • Religious in the Diocese
    • Responsible Ministry
    • View More...

Sky with the clouds and the sun

Responsible Ministry and Policies

More
Home/About Us/Responsible Ministry
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email This page Email
  • Responsible Ministry
    • Canadian Reporting System for Sexual Abuse or Cover-up by a Catholic Bishop
    • Clergy Abuse Reporting Guidelines
    • Safe Environment Policy
    • Volunteer Screening
  • Accessibility
  • Bishop
  • Catholic Herald Diocesan Magazine
  • Clergy
  • Connect
  • Diocesan Committees
  • Diocesan Pastoral Centre
  • Diocesan Youth Commission
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Financial Reports of the Diocese
  • Geography of the Diocese
  • History of the Diocese
  • News
  • Parishes
  • Pastoral Plan
  • Permanent Deacons
  • Policies
  • Religious in the Diocese
  • Vatican Website
  • Privacy Statement
Subscribe to this page

Responsible Ministry and Policies

POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE AND/OR MISCONDUCT

The protection of children and vulnerable persons is part of the very mission of the Church.  We are each called to insure that members of our church community are able to practice their faith in a safe environment, confident that the clergy and the faithful are committed to their protection, safety, and well being.

This Policy and Procedure has as its goals:

  • the prevention of abuse,
  • the care of the victim,
  • the investigation of allegations, and
  • the appropriate action toward those who have committed abuse. 

This webpage provides information about the Policy and Procedure and the links to the documents in their entirety.

                POLICY STATEMENT             

It is the policy of the Diocese of Peterborough to enforce procedures which prohibit and strive to prevent all acts of abuse or misconduct in the Diocese at any time.  Acts of misconduct and/or abuse have a profoundly harmful impact upon the victims, families, and communities, and they thwart the apostolic mission entrusted to the Church.

All allegations of misconduct and/or abuse will be investigated.   The investigative processes of this Policy and Procedure are based on the presumption of innocence, due process, and fairness.  Outside of a court or judicial process, guilt is determined on the balance of probabilities and not beyond a reasonable doubt.  Where the guilt of a respondent has been determined as a result of this process, appropriate canonical disciplinary measures will be taken.

The Diocese of Peterborough will cooperate with police, child protection authorities, and civil investigators.  An admission of guilt/culpability or a determination of guilt in the civil/judicial sphere may result in criminal penalties imposed by a court and/or may be used in the ecclesiastical process to follow.

VISUAL OF THE STEPS OF THE PROCESS

 

Visual Overview of the Policy Process Steps

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS STEPS

 

Incident

The conduct of a cleric, religious brother, religious sister, employee, or volunteer gives rise to an allegation of abuse or misconduct.

Reporting an Allegation

An allegation of sexual misconduct and/or abuse on the part of clergy, employees, or volunteers is reported to the Bishop’s Delegate.  If required under the applicable legislation, it will be reported to the Police Services and/or the Children’s Aid Society.

Immediate Response

Legal reporting requirements will be fulfilled immediately.

After being advised of the allegation, a respondent who is a cleric may be placed on an administrative leave (canon 1722). Staff may be suspended from employment or volunteers may be suspended from ministry. 

In the case of a cleric, an alternate and appropriate residence may be assigned during the investigation.

In the case of a cleric, his faculties to preach may be removed (canon 764), and if he is a priest, the right to hear confessions may also be removed (canon 974). He may be forbidden the exercise of any public ministry, including the public celebration of the Eucharist, and he may be instructed to cease wearing clerical garb.

The respondent may be instructed to have no further contact, direct or indirect, with certain individuals, identified by name or in some other way including parish residency.

The Bishop has the discretion to consult with the Advisory Committee at any point in the process.

Investigation

The investigation will be carried out under the direction of the Bishop’s Delegate in accordance with this Policy and Procedure.

Where there is an admission of guilt, the care of the person(s) bringing forward the allegation will receive immediate attention which may include the provision of counselling, etc.  This may also apply in situations where the allegation is credible in the opinion of the Bishop’s Delegate or where the respondent is deceased or too ill to respond.

The care of all those impacted by the allegation will continue to be supported as appropriate.

Address and Resolve Complaint

The decision of the Bishop will determine how the complaint is addressed and resolved.  This part of the process will impact and involve those making the allegation, the clergy, religious, or layperson against whom the allegation has been brought, the parish communities impacted by the allegation, and all others impacted by the allegation.

Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the consideration of the Advisory Committee and the decision of the Bishop, the respondent, whether a member of the clergy or a lay person, may or may not be returned to ministry or employment.

Further steps as determined by Canon Law may be part of the ongoing response.

 

WEB LINKS TO THE COMPLETE DOCUMENTS

  • LETTER OF PROMULGATION, June 29, 2021

  • POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE AND/OR MISCONDUCT, June 29, 2021

 

 

                                                                     Report It!                                                                           

 

Contact Us

Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough logo

© 2017 Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough

Tel: 705-745-5123

Clergy and Staff Login
Contact Us
Email Login
Feedback
Privacy
Sitemap

Design by eSolutionsGroup

  • How Do I Find...
    • A Parish
    • A Priest
    • Adoration of the Eucharist Nearest Me
    • Annulment Information
    • Baptism Information
    • Catholic Health Care
    • Catholic Herald Diocesan Magazine
    • Catholic Schools
    • Clergy Abuse Reporting Guidelines
    • View All...
  • Life and Faith
    • Ask a Priest
    • Becoming Catholic
    • Catholic Education
    • Catholic Health Care
    • Chaplaincy
    • Ecumenism
    • End of Life
    • Events Calendar
    • Faith Formation in the Diocese and Parishes
    • View All...
  • Get Involved
    • Called to be a Deacon
    • Care of Creation
    • Charities and Donations
    • Ecumenical and Interreligious Outreach
    • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Indigenous Peoples Outreach
    • Ministry Program
    • Organizations in the Diocese
    • View All...
  • About Us
    • Accessibility
    • Bishop
    • Catholic Herald Diocesan Magazine
    • Clergy
    • Connect
    • Diocesan Committees
    • Diocesan Pastoral Centre
    • Diocesan Youth Commission
    • Employment Opportunities
    • View All...
×