July 15, 2003

Reference No: OOB-29

 

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus,

 

As Jesus reminded the early Church through the words of Saint Matthew, He continues to remind each of us today, that “the little ones” are to be protected and safeguarded at all times: “let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14-15).  Saint Luke, more emphatically states: “it would be better for you if a millstone was hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble” (Luke 17:2). Thus, the responsibility of the Church to protect young people especially from sexual abuse is a sacred obligation that flows from the pro-life position of the Church to defend those who are most vulnerable, defenseless and innocent. 

 

Sexual abuse is a grave sin that must never be tolerated; it is also a civil crime that must be reported and responded to immediately.  The Church insists that young people be protected, perpetrators be removed from ministry, victims healed, and strong measures established to prevent future cases. To this end, the United States bishops promulgated comprehensive national norms for all United States dioceses/eparchies.  Having reviewed these policies and procedures, and in conjunction with my judicial vicar, chancellor and the opinion of several priests and lay people, I have formed the basis for the policies and procedures for our eparchy in dealing with such matters. 

 

Therefore, I promulgate the Our Lady of Deliverance Diocesan Standards for the Protection of Young People.  These Standards reflect the intention of the eparchy to implement fully the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and the Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests and Deacons approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002. 

 

Since our eparchy was only established less then seven years ago, and because our presbyterate is extremely small, we have had no allegations or cases involving such abuse cases since our creation.  Nonetheless, these documents will serve as blueprints for possible future action, action that makes clear our commitment as a faith community to the protection of children and young people, to the healing of victims, and to a renewal of the Church. 

 

As the Church confronts this difficult problem, and having witnessed the hurt and anger of victims, their families—and, indeed, all the faithful—who have been wounded by this terrible atrocity, I state in the name of the Syriac Church of Our Lady of Deliverance, the promise and dedication to never allow these incidents to happen in our eparchy and in the unfortunate event that they should, they will be dealt with directly, honestly and in conjunction with the civil authorities governing these matters.