Roman Catholics discuss sexual misconduct policies with ecumenical partners

Posted on: June 18, 2002 9:53 AM

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In the afternoon of 5 June 2002, 15 ecumenical partners gathered in the Episcopal Church Center in New York, at the invitation of William Cardinal Keeler, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore. The purpose of the meeting was to engage in a conversation about the draft text of a "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" to be presented to Catholic bishops who would come together the following week in Dallas. Input on the document was shared as were the sexual misconduct policies of the various Christian communions present.

It was clear from the meeting that the Roman Catholic Church and its bishops do not stand alone in the painful experience of dealing with sexual misconduct among clergy and lay leaders in the church. The Catholic Church shares with the wider ecumenical community deep concern for the victims of sexual abuse, especially children and young people. All Christians must work together in seeking to find ways to offer healing to those who have been so wounded and to restore the faithful to the faith that has been taken from them by these actions.

In addition to giving and receiving feedback on this specific document, the participants agreed to seek ways in the future to co-operate together in order to take even more dramatic steps on the specific issue of abuse of children and young people in church and society.

The following church leaders attended this gathering:

The Revd Dr William Allen (Christian Church, Disciples of Christ)
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian (Armenian Orthodox Church in America)
The Very Revd David Brum (Orthodox Church of America)
Mr David Early (US Conference of Catholic Bishops)
The Revd Jon Enslin (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)
The Rt Revd Christopher Epting (The Episcopal Church, USA)
The Revd David Fromm (Reformed Church in America)
The Most Revd Frank T Griswold (The Episcopal Church, USA)
Brother Jeffrey Gros (US Conference of Catholic Bishops)
The Very Reverend Alexei Karlgut (Orthodox Church of America)
William Cardinal Keeler (US Conference of Catholic Bishops)
The Revd Cletus Kiley (US Conference of Catholic Bishops)
The Very Reverend Father Simeon Odobashian (Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in America)
The Revd Bruce Robbins (United Methodist Church)
Bishop Savas of Troas (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese)
The Revd Lydia Veliko (United Church of Christ)
The Revd Robina Winbush (Presbyterian Church, USA)