Document Archive

Policy for the Protection of Children and Young People
5 May 2003

Preamble

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is committed to: doing all in its means to ensure the protection of 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. These pledges are made with a humbling sense of the Archdiocese's own limitations, relying on the help of God and the support of the many faithful priests, deacons, religious and laity working together to fulfill them.

In response to this pledge for the protection of all our children, the Archdiocese presents this policy and subsequent procedures not only to fulfill the mandates of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People but to go beyond these directives and respond with justice, compassion and charity toward every person.

Safe Environment

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is committed to the on-going development of a Safe Environment Program, throughout the Archdiocese, in our parishes, schools and archdiocesan institutions. The Archdiocese will ensure that all archdiocesan personnel, including clergy, religious and laity, as well as volunteers who regularly come in contact with children, obtain appropriate background checks. The Safe Environment Program includes provisions for educational programs for all children who attend parish elementary schools, religious education programs as well as archdiocesan secondary schools. Training will also be provided to clergy, parish personnel and teachers regarding their responsibility, under civil law, as mandated reporters. This training also pertains to archdiocesan personnel who are working in social services and educational ministry.

Victim Assistance

The Archdiocese strives to provide comprehensive support to those who have experienced sexual abuse as minors. In order to promote healing and provide assistance to victims and their families, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia created a Victim Assistance Coordination Program. This office

• provides confidential services
• utilizes licensed social workers
• assists in obtaining outpatient counseling and recommends licensed and qualified providers, if requested
• assists the victim/family in filing a report of sexual abuse as well as submitting the report to public authorities.

Assistance is provided in assessing appropriate mental health and spiritual healing as requested by the victim/family. The coordinators are also charged with providing the larger faith community with knowledge of the services provided by the Victim Assistance Coordination Program.

Archdiocesan Review Board

The Archdiocesan Review Board has been established in accord with The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and The Essential Norms. This board will:

• function as a confidential and consultative body to the Archbishop;
• advise the Archbishop in his assessment of allegations of sexual abuse of minors and in his determination of suitability for a priest's or deacon's ministry;
• review archdiocesan policy and procedures for dealing with allegations of sexual abuse of minors, at least every two years, in order to recommend to the Archbishop any modifications, if appropriate;
• provide a recommendation to the Archbishop concerning fitness for priestly and diaconal ministry in particular cases.

Clergy Formation

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.

The Archdiocese will work in full cooperation with the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, the National Review Board and the National Office for the Protection of Children and Young People to ensure the protection of all children and to restore and maintain the trust of the faithful in the Church.