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Document Archive
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Summary of Implementation of USCCB Charter
5 June 2003See also other pertinent documents by clicking the links below.
Implementation of the
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young PeopleIn June 2002, the Catholic Bishops of the United States pledged to do everything possible to protect children and young people and to prevent sexual abuse. The Charter ensures the Church will:
~ promote healing and reconciliation with victims/survivors
~ guarantee an effective response to allegations of abuse of minors
~ ensure accountability of procedures
~ protect the faithful in the future
In January 2003, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia received a final report and recommendations from its Commission on the Protection of Children and Clerical Conduct. The recommendations made by this commission are incorporated in the policies and procedures being established or revised.The Archdiocese is working in full cooperation with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Review Board and the National Office for the Protection of Children and Young People to ensure as much as possible the protection of all children and young people as well as to restore the trust and confidence of the faithful in the Church.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has in place the following:
Implementation
for Priests, Deacons, Religious, Pastoral Ministers, Administrators, Staff and Volunteers
for Priests, Deacons, Religious, Pastoral Ministers, Administrators, Staff and Volunteers
for Priests, Deacons, Religious, Pastoral Ministers, Administrators, Staff and VolunteersRevised Policy for the Protection of Children and Young People
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------This policy re-establishes the firm commitment by the Archdiocese to ensure it is doing all in its means to protect children and young people; ordaining to the priesthood and diaconate as well as putting into positions of trust only those who share this commitment for the protection of children and young people; working toward healing and reconciliation for those sexually abused as minors; and devoting to these goals the resources and personnel necessary to accomplish them.
Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries
for Priests, Deacons, Religious, Pastoral Ministers, Administrators, Staff and VolunteersThese standards are intended to provide a clear outline of behavior and in particular, a blueprint for the boundaries of appropriate behavior in all interactions with children and young people. They are essentially a code of conduct for all employees of the Archdiocese who work with minors outlining behavior that is legal, professional and responsible.
Policy for the Implementation of Police and Child Abuse Background Checks
for Priests, Deacons, Religious, Pastoral Ministers, Administrators, Staff and VolunteersThis policy states clearly that all priests, deacons, religious, pastoral ministers, administrators, staff and volunteers in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia who have or will have regular contact with minors in the course of their work for the Archdiocese are required to undergo police and child abuse background checks. Regular contact is defined as contact with children at least one time per week on a routine and repeated basis. New background checks must be obtained every five years from the date of the last background check.
Procedures for Background Checks
All Archdiocesan clergy as well as other clergy with assignments in the Archdiocese are required to obtain background checks, regardless of the regularity with which they have contact with children. All church personnel with regular contact with children are required to undergo a Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Record Check and a Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance and in some cases, an FBI fingerprint check. The procedures are intended to make clear who is responsible for administering the process of obtaining background check reports and which background check reports must be obtained.
The Archdiocese is committed to the ongoing development of safe environment programs in all parishes, schools and archdiocesan institutions. This includes the training of clergy, church personnel, educators, social service personnel and volunteers regularly involved with young people. Training includes: archdiocesan policies and procedures, responsibilities of each individual under civil law as mandated reporters, ways to recognize child abuse and ways to recognize an abuser.
~ In April 2003, all 210 Catholic parish elementary school principals took part in day-long training sessions. All high school principals, teachers, directors of religious education and others with direct contact with children will attend training in fall 2003.~ Educational programs for children and young people involve age-appropriate information about improper touching and relationships. The safe environment program includes provisions for all children who attend parish elementary schools, religious education programs and high schools.
Archdiocesan Review Board
In October 2002, Cardinal Bevilacqua established an Archdiocesan Review Board. The Review Board functions as a confidential consultative body to the Archbishop, advising in the assessment of allegations of abuse, suitability for ministry and reviewing archdiocesan policies and procedures for dealing with allegations of sexual abuse of minors. Members are: James Amato, L.S.W. , Deputy Secretary, Catholic Social Services, Ana Maria Catanzaro, R. N., Assistant Professor LaSalle University, Angelo P. Giardino, M.D., Pediatrician, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Mary Louise Johnson, an Attorney in Private Practice, and Reverend Thomas J. Owens, Pastor of Saint Alphonsus Parish. Consultants to the Review Board are: David Ingle, Expert in Child Abuse Issues, and Anne Leigh Shenberger, L.S.W., Director, Southeast Region Office of Children, Youth and Families of PA Dept of Public Welfare.
Victims Assistance Coordination Program
In June 2002, the Archdiocese created an office for victims assistance which became the first point of contact for those making reports of sexual abuse of minors. When an allegation is reported, the Victims Assistance Coordinator interviews the person making the allegation and informs the appropriate archdiocesan department of the report. All allegations received are reported to the proper public authorities in accord with the law unless an adult accuser restricts in writing the Coordinator from doing so. If the allegation is against an archdiocesan priest or deacon, the Coordinator and the Office for Clergy will conduct an initial interview with the priest. Any archdiocesan investigation will be conducted with respect for that being done by the civil authorities and in accord with Canon Law. Results will be forwarded to the Archdiocesan Review Board whose work is explained above. The licensed social workers who serve as Victims Assistance Coordinators work comprehensively and confidentially to: assist victims in obtaining outpatient counseling; facilitate spiritual and mental health support services; maintain contact in order to ensure that the counseling provided is helpful; assist the victim/family in filing a report of sexual abuse and submitting that report to public authorities.
Clergy Formation
As part of its Policy for the Protection of Children and Young People, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia recommits itself to the highest standards of training and formation for our future priests and deacons, as well as the on-going formation of the clergy. This training and formation includes the necessary information about and opportunities for integrated, personal growth. It also includes the necessary understanding and pastoral concern for the issue of sexual abuse, professional boundaries and safe environments. Such vital training and formation is and will continue to be a part of the archdiocesan commitment to assisting seminarians, priests and deacons in their roles of service.