2. ASSISTANCE TO THOSE AFFECTED

Section 2 recognizes the Church's pastoral responsibility to assist all those affected by sexual abuse of clerics with minors; the victim and the victim's family, the community, and the cleric. Section 2 establishes a Victim Assistance Coordinator whose duties will include the identification of pastoral and professional resources which will be made available to assist the victims of abuse. In addition, the Church's outreach to communities affected will be organized to promote understanding and healing. Finally, the roles of the Vicar for Priests and Deacons as pastor to the priests of the Diocese are addressed.

2.1 Assistance to Those Affected

Policy:

The Diocese/Eparchy shall make appropriate assistance available to those who may be affected by the alleged sexual abuse of a cleric with a minor, whether the abuse was recent or occurred many years in the past. This outreach will include provision of counseling, spiritual assistance, support groups, and other social services agreed upon by the victim and Diocese/Eparchy. In cooperation with social service agencies and other churches, support groups for victims/survivors and other affected by abuse are to be fostered and encouraged by the Diocese/Eparchy and in local parish communities (Cf. USCCB Charter, art.1).

2.2 Assistance to Alleged Victim/Survivor

Policy:

The first obligation of the Church with regard to the victims is for healing and reconciliation. The Diocese/Eparchy shall designate a Victim Assistance Coordinator who shall minister to the alleged victim, victim's family or other persons affected, doing so with a sincere commitment to their spiritual and emotional well-being. The coordinator shall identify professional and other resources and make them available to aid in the pastoral care of a victim or other person. In the case of any disclosure of sexual abuse of a minor, the coordinator shall report the fact to the Administrative Investigator (Cf. USCCB Charter, articles 1 & 2, and USCCB Essential Norms, 3). The Diocese/Eparchy will not enter into confidentiality agreements except for grave and substantial reasons brought forward by the victim/survivor and noted in the text of the agreement (Cf. USCCB Charter, art. 3). Through pastoral outreach to victims and their families, the Bishop or his representative will offer to meet with them, to listen with patience and compassion to their experiences and concerns, and to share the "profound sense of solidarity and concern" expressed by our Holy Father in his Address to the Cardinals of the United States and Conference Officers. This pastoral outreach by the Bishop or his delegate will also be directed to faith communities in which the sexual abuse occurred (Cf. USCCB Charter, art.1). (For the duties and responsibilities of the Victim Assistance Coordinator and Response Team, see Addendum to this policy.)

2.3 Assistance to Community

Policy:

The Diocese/Eparchy shall develop and maintain "safe environment" programs and programs for outreach to communities affected. The programs shall promote healing and understanding. They will cooperate with parents, civil authorities, educators, and community organizations to provide education and training for children, youth, parents, ministers, educators, and others about ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children. The Diocese/Eparchy will make clear to clergy and all members of the community the standards of conduct for clergy and other persons in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse (Cf. USCCB Charter, art. 12). (For the rules and regulations of the Safe Environment Program, see Addendum to this policy.)

2.4 Assistance to Clergy

Policy:

In the case of any disclosure of sexual abuse by a cleric with a minor, the Vicar for Priests and Deacons shall report the fact to the Administrative Investigator. This Vicar is the representative of the Bishop who ministers to the clergy of the Diocese/Eparchy by providing assistance, advice, support, and by facilitating referrals to resource persons and other professionals. An offending priest or deacon will be offered professional assistance for his own healing and well being, as well as for the purpose of prevention (Cf. USCCB Charter, art. 5).

3. SCREENING FORMATION, EDUCATION & ASSIGNMENT TO MINISTRY