| Resolution Number: | 2015-A050 |
|---|---|
| Title: | Refer a Resolution on the ACC Charter for Safety |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Referred |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That the 78th General Convention join the 2012 Anglican Consultative Council in adopting the following "Charter for Safety of People Within the Churches of the Anglican Communion" as a summary of The Episcopal Church's policy regarding maintaining the safety of all who come to or work for our churches:
"1. Pastoral support where there is abuse — We will provide pastoral support for the abused, their families, and affected parishes and church organizations by listening with patience and compassion to their experiences and concerns; offering spiritual assistance and other forms of pastoral care.
2. Effective responses to abuse — We will have and implement policies and procedures to respond properly to allegations of abuse against clergy and other church personnel that include: making known within churches the procedure for making complaints; arranging pastoral care for any person making a complaint of abuse; the impartial determination of allegations of abuse against clergy and other church personnel, and assessment of their suitability for future ministry; providing support for affected parishes and church organizations.
3. Practice of pastoral ministry — We will adopt and promote, through education and training, standards for the practice of pastoral ministry by clergy and other church personnel.
4. Suitability for ministry — We will have and implement policies and procedures to assess the suitability of persons for ordination as clergy or appointment to positions of responsibility in the church, including checking their background.
5. Culture of safety — We will promote a culture of safety in parishes and church organizations by education and training to help clergy, other church personnel, and participants prevent the occurrence of abuse;" and be it further
Resolved, That the Executive Council collect current data from all member dioceses regarding their "safe church" policies and practices, including identification of reasons for not implementing the recommended policies and practices; and publish that information to The Episcopal Church through its most widely accessible media; and be it further
Resolved, That the Office of Global Relations collaborate with Province IX to develop and disseminate culturally appropriate materials for use in the Spanish-speaking dioceses of TEC that are consistent with the principles of the ACC "Charter of Safety" and the standards previously set out by General Convention, including a process for training of local trainers; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $ 40,000 for the implementation of this resolution.
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Salt Lake City, 2015 (New York: General Convention, 2015), pp. 452-453. |
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Legislative History
| Author: | Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns |
|---|---|
| Originating House: | House of Deputies |
| Originating Committee: | Formation and Education for Ministry |
House of Deputies
The House of Deputies Committee on Formation and Education for Ministry presented its Report #62 on Resolution A050 (Adopt and Implement Charter for Safety) and moved to refer the resolution to the Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons.
Original Text of Resolution:
(A050)
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 78th General Convention join the 2012 Anglican Consultative Council in adopting the following "Charter for Safety of People Within the Churches of the Anglican Communion" as a summary of The Episcopal Church's policy regarding maintaining the safety of all who come to or work for our churches:
“1. Pastoral support where there is abuse — We will provide pastoral support for the abused, their families, and affected parishes and church organizations by listening with patience and compassion to their experiences and concerns; offering spiritual assistance and other forms of pastoral care.
2. Effective responses to abuse — We will have and implement policies and procedures to respond properly to allegations of abuse against clergy and other church personnel that include: making known within churches the procedure for making complaints; arranging pastoral care for any person making a complaint of abuse; the impartial determination of allegations of abuse against clergy and other church personnel, and assessment of their suitability for future ministry; providing support for affected parishes and church organizations.
3. Practice of pastoral ministry — We will adopt and promote, through education and training, standards for the practice of pastoral ministry by clergy and other church personnel.
4. Suitability for ministry — We will have and implement policies and procedures to assess the suitability of persons for ordination as clergy or appointment to positions of responsibility in the church, including checking their background.
5. Culture of safety — We will promote a culture of safety in parishes and church organizations by education and training to help clergy, other church personnel, and participants prevent the occurrence of abuse;" and be it further
Resolved, That the Executive Council collect current data from all member dioceses regarding their "safe church" policies and practices, including identification of reasons for not implementing the recommended policies and practices; and publish that information to The Episcopal Church through its most widely accessible media; and be it further
Resolved, That the Office of Global Relations collaborate with Province IX to develop and disseminate culturally appropriate materials for use in the Spanish-speaking dioceses of TEC that are consistent with the principles of the ACC "Charter of Safety" and the standards previously set out by General Convention, including a process for training of local trainers; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $ 40,000 for the implementation of this resolution.
Motion carried
Resolution referred
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #344)
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops Committee on Formation and Education for Ministry presented its Report #68 on HD Message #344 on Resolution A050 (Adopt and Implement Charter for Safety) and moved concurrence with a referral to a CCAB.
Motion carried
The House concurred
Resolution referred
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #378)
Resolution Referred to a Standing Commission by Both Houses.
| Report Reference: | Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns, Reports to the 78th General Convention, 2015, pp. 293-308. |
|---|---|
| Source Document: | Anglican Consultative Council, Charter for Safety of People Within the Churches of the Anglican Communion Source Citation: http://acscn.anglicancommunion.org/media/99278/Safe-Church-Charter-November-2012.pdf. Last accessed 8/11/2016. |
| Abstract: | The 78th General Convention refers for consideration a resolution to adopt the ACC's "Charter for Safety of People" and to collect data from Episcopal Church dioceses regarding their "safe church" policies and practices. |
| Notes: | The Committee was discharged of resolution C025 in favor of 2015-A050. |