St. Peter's Church | Safe Parish

Recent revelations of sexual abuse of children by Roman Catholic priests may cause Episcopalians to wonder: Can it happen here? While instances of pedophilia have occurred in the Episcopal Church - and likely in many other faith and secular groups as well - - safeguards that were set in place as many as 10 years ago by Episcopal dioceses and the Church Insurance Co. (CIC) make it less likely that this church would suffer such a tragedy. Most sexual-misconduct cases do not involve pedophilia but involve misuse of power by clergy in pastoral relationships with adults. The issues concerning sexual abuse prevention in the church are complex. Prevention involves screening candidates for ordination (although lay employees and volunteers are also potential abusers), procedures to handle cases that come to light and safeguards to keep offenders from being able to repeat the abuse. The diocese responds to allegations with an investigation and follows a national Church canon, Title 4. The bishop has the authority to suspend an accused priest during the investigation. According to Title 4, an ecclesiastical trial court is held if the accused denies the allegations and seeks a trial. The Episcopal diocese of Massachusetts has put these procedures in place:

•	15-year background checks of all clergy at the time of ordination, employment and of clergy already serving in the diocese.
•	Four hours of child sexual-abuse prevention training for those clergy, employees and volunteers who regularly supervise children and youth activities.
•	Four hours of training on issues of sexual harassment in the workplace and sexual exploitation in pastoral relationships for clergy and other pastoral counselors.
•	Requirement that two adults always be present in the classroom during Church School and Youth programs.
•	Requirement that parental permission first be obtained to take a child or youth off the church premises.
•	Knowledge of ways to recognize and respond to possible abuse and how to notify civil and ecclesiastical authorities of suspected abuse.
•	A sexual-misconduct policy and procedure manual.

The Rev. Stephen O. Voysey, Rector - St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Weston, Massachusetts

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