November 1, 2018
Feast of All Saints
Dear Friends in Christ,
“Jesus, however, called the children to himself and said, ‘Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’ ” Luke 18:16
As recent painful experience within the Church has taught us, there is no more serious barrier to young people coming to a saving knowledge and love of Jesus Christ than their physical or sexual abuse within the Church. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is firmly committed to preventing the sexual, physical, or emotional abuse of children and in healing any who have been abused. As priests, deacons, religious and lay faithful of the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter, we take as our solemn duty the thoughtful and active protection of our children, youth and at-risk adults within our parishes, parochial communities and schools. Creating a Safe Environment for our children is a an absolute priority for all of us.
The Ordinariate has had a Safe Environment Program, in one form or another, since 2012. After my ordination as Bishop in February, 2016, I reiterated and promulgated as official policy our current Safe Environment Policy and program. The protection of our children has been a pastoral priority from the very beginning of our Ordinariate, and I am grateful to all those who work to ensure ongoing vigilance and continuity in this regard.
The Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter will comply fully with the requirements as promulgated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops under the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and the Essential Norms derived from the Charter. The Essential Norms, having received the recognition of the Holy See, are particular law in all the dioceses of the United States.
In a recent meeting of the Ordinariate leadership, I recalled the words of Pope John Paul II: there is no room in the priesthood for a man who abuses a child. In our particular context of the Ordinariate with both celibate and married clergy, I would add that there is no room in the priesthood for a man who commits an act of violence—physical, psychological, or sexual—against his own wife or children. And there is no room among those who call themselves Shepherds and Pastors for a man who would cover-up an instance of abuse.
The policies are designed to direct the administration and implementation of our Safe Environment Program in all parishes, parochial communities, communities in formation, schools, agencies and programs of the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter. More specifically, the Ordinariate Safe Environment Program consists of the following components:
Finally, we will continue to evaluate and improve all aspects of our Safe Environment Program. Thank you for your conscientious cooperation in this important area of our life in common. The safety of our children is never a distraction from our mission but foundational to bearing witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+Steven J. Lopes
Bishop of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter
In the United States |
|
Lynn Schmidt | Rebecca Hill |
Safe Environment Program Coordinator | Victim Assistance Coordinator |
P.O. Box 55206 | 281-507-4142 |
Houston, TX 77255 | VAC@ordinariate.net |
907-317-6257 | |
SafeEnvironment@ordinariate.net | |
In Canada |
|
Shauna Love | |
Safe Environment Program Coordinator - Canada | |
250-483-4332 | |
SafeEnvironment-Canada@ordinariate.net | |