Responsible Ministry and Policies
Catholics believe that our baptism makes us members of the People of God and members of the faith community we know as the Church. The protection of children and vulnerable persons is part of the very mission of the Church. We are all called to insure that all members of our church community are able to practice their faith in a safe environment, confident that all the faithful are committed to their protection and well being.
To insure the protection of all members of our church community we as a community insure that there are procedures in place to protect the vulnerable persons in our community. We are called to formalize this procedure to insure that all parishes in the Diocese of Peterborough are providing the same level of protection to the members of their community. The Policy associated with responsible ministry is intended to increase the security of those participating in parish activities or receiving services through a ministry, by insuring that the individual providing the service is an appropriate candidate to serve in that ministry.
The Diocese of Peterborough confirms its commitment to oppose abuse of trust in all its forms and the exploitation of vulnerable persons. The primary concern is for the victim. The development and implementation of Policy has as its goals, the prevention of all abuse (sexual, physical, psychological, etc.), the protection of vulnerable persons, the pastoral care of those wounded by sexual or other abuse; along with the acknowledgment of the legal rights of the accused and the appropriate action toward those who have committed abuse.
In particular, the Diocese of Peterborough, through appropriate intervention and education and the establishment of procedures for risk management, will work toward eliminating sexual abuse, financial abuse, and exploitation of children and vulnerable persons that arise out of positions of trust. Positions of trust can include the relationships that priests, parish ministers, religious, members of the pastoral team, parish employees and volunteers have with parishioners.
The Diocese of Peterborough expects its bishop, priests, deacons, lay personnel and volunteers to live moral lives respecting in every way the integrity of others. Sexual abuse, financial abuse, and exploitation of children and vulnerable persons abuse the power and authority of the pastoral role of all who work for and serve the People of God. The primary aim is for all to grow in personal holiness.
The Diocese of Peterborough supports open and frank discussion of the social tragedy of sexual abuse and holds that it is not acceptable to ignore, minimize or cover up instances of sexual abuse. Whenever sexual abuse is reported, appropriate steps in accordance with the provisions of Policy are taken to investigate, address, to ensure that it will not reoccur, and to prevent other similar cases.
The Diocese of Peterborough will co-operate with the criminal and civil judicial systems, subject to the inviolability of the Sacramental Seal of Confession.