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Official Policy On Inappropriate Misconduct By The Clergy Within
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Recent events in our country and society here in the United States and other parts of the world have made it necessary to publish and provide a clear understanding within the ranks of all of the clergy and the faithful, (and prayerfully we pray, eventually within each and every jurisdiction of the Church), that ZERO tolerance will and must be the standard operating guideline for issues of inappropriate misconduct by the clergy. This will also be the standard operating understanding and procedure for the clergy of The Evangelical Orthodox Catholic Church in America.
We have adopted, herewith, a working and official policy of, and for, The Evangelical Orthodox Catholic Church regarding the sexual misconduct of clergy, employees, regular volunteers, seminarians, and candidates for ordination and/or incardination.While a more permanent Canon will be added to our own local Church canons and is being studied and worked on, the following articles and points of concern will be our working policy.
- The Evangelical Orthodox Catholic Church has zero tolerance for
any physical misconduct by its clergy and or any one employed by, or working
for, or even volunteering to work for, or with this Church.
- This includes unwanted, inappropriate physical contact with parishioners,
those being counseled, those going to confession or receiving any of the
Holy Mysteries / Sacraments, and, of course, minors/disabled/geriatric
or anyone that is considered as vulnerable.
- Inappropriate and unwanted physical activity with minors/disabled
or geriatrically vulnerable people will be immediately reported to law
enforcement entities and investigated by them.
- Further, inappropriate and unwanted physical activity with anyone else with whom a clergy person has a pastoral care relationship of any kind, will result in immediate suspension of ecclesiastical faculties. This means that faculties and the authority to celebrate the Holy Mysteries will be removed immediately with a referral to treatment if found guilty. If cleared of all charges by both church and law enforcement entities, all faculties and authorities to celebrate the Holy Mysteries / Sacraments of the Church will, of course, be restored and all records marked as "cleared." If the clergy person is found and proven guilty their suspension will become permanent and they will be deposed from the ministry of the Church.
- Finally, (and very sadly there are cases both in the United States and other countries) - anyone found, after investigation by Church authorities and law enforcement, to have deliberately and inaccurately accused one of the clergy for the purposes of obtaining financial reward. To punish, humiliate, address or redress issues unrelated to inappropriate and unwanted physical contact via these kinds of inappropriate physical accusations and humiliation whether publically and/or privately, will also be held responsible for such allegations and accusations. In that unfortunate circumstance, the clergy are herewith advised to seek personal and public redress for the injury to their reputations and good standing within the Church. Most of all, forgiveness and healing MUST BE the guiding light through forgiveness in these cases and all parties are encouraged to seek counseling and help in rebuilding their lives.
Given under our hand and seal, this 30th day of June, in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ 2003, from our See City in San Jose, California - this being the 29th year of our episcopate.
+Most Reverend Perry R. (Joseph Benedict) Sills, OC., S.T.D.,
Bishop Primus
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