Church guidelines for priestly behaviour under review

Sydney
7 July 2002

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Church guidelines for priestly behaviour under review

By Kathleen Carmody

The Church is currently reviewing Integrity in Ministry, the document that sets out the principles and standards for Catholic clergy and religious in Australia.

The National Committee for Professional Standards has begun studying responses to a questionnaire it sent to clerics, religious and some parishes about the document.

Sr Angela Ryan, executive officer of the committee, says there have always been plans to review the document, which was described as “ad experimentum” when it was first published.

But it might transpire that no changes are deemed necessary.

Integrity in Ministry was originally published in June 1999 in response to revelations of abusive behaviour within the Church.

Its stated objective was to:

• support clergy and religious in their concern to protect children and adults from all abuses of power;

• support the Church in responding to instances of sexual abuse and professional misconduct;

• provide general support and encouragement for religious and clergy in their vocation.

The document says that in order to “safeguard integrity, and to preserve clarity of sexual and professional boundaries”, clergy and religious must avoid any behaviour that could reasonably be interpreted as harassment.

Situations to be avoided include:

• providing pastoral ministry in the sleeping quarters or bedrooms of one’s community house or presbytery/parish house;

• staying overnight in the same room as a minor;

• administering corporal punishment to a minor;

• using actions or language that could reasonably be interpreted as sexually provocative.

Clergy and religious should never seek to initiate sexual behaviour, should reject any sexual overtures and avoid situations and relationships that place undue stress on their commitment to celibacy.

The document stresses that where clergy or religious feel sexually attracted to a person with whom they have a pastoral relationship, or when they feel frustration or anger in such a relationship, they should seek professional advice.

In matters of complaints of sexual, physical or psychological abuse, it says that it is essential that clergy and religious:

• ensure that all people alleging sexual, physical or psychological abuse are encouraged to approach the contact person designated under the Church’s protocol, Towards Healing;

• report allegations of abuse to the relevant public authority if this is requested or required; and

• act to ensure that the proper processes of law are not interfered with, whether such processes are in progress or contemplated in the future.

Where someone breaches the guidelines set down in Integrity in Ministry, they may be asked to undertake counselling or special training, or be subject to the penalties of canon law.

Among other recommendations it makes, the document stresses full co-operation with civil authorities and processes where required and warns that a cleric or religious may be relieved from pastoral duties or responsibilities if serious harm is done.