The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Safeguarding and Title IV presented its Report #9 on Resolution A115 (Adopt and Implement Charter for Safety) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A115)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 79th 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 The Episcopal Church that are consistent with the principles of the Anglican Consultative Council "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 79th General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance to propose a budget allocation of $40,000 for the implementation of this resolution.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 79th 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 ofnoting that it summarizes 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 The Episcopal Church that are consistent with the principles of the Anglican Consultative Council "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 79th General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance to propose a budget allocation of $40,000 for the implementation of this resolution.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #36)