Child Protection Policy

1. This policy applies to all members of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church, hereafter referred to as “the Church,” including members of Parishes that are defined as members of the Church. This policy statement must be signed by all members of the clergy, all clergy in Major and Minor Orders (defined as all Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Sub-Deacons, Acolytes, Exorcists, Lectors, and Porters), as well as those in Religious Orders, Postulants, and Seminarians, and all adults working in any capacity, for pay or volunteer, involving minors (defined as persons under the age of 18 years). For clergy in Major Orders (Bishops, Priests, and Deacons), a signed and witnessed copy of this form must be submitted to the Holy Apostolic See of Sts. Peter, Andrew, Stephen, and Mark or their Diocese. For all others, a signed and witnessed copy must be maintained at their Parish of record. It is the responsibility of the individual to submit this form.
2. All members of the clergy, all those in Religious Orders, all Postulants, all Seminarians, and all adults working in any capacity, for pay or volunteer, involving minors (defined as persons under the age of 18 years) must satisfactorily complete child protection training at least once. These persons may be required by their Parish, their Diocese, or the Holy Apostolic See to undergo additional training or periodic training. Training programs that satisfy this requirement include, but are not necessarily limited to, child protection training offered by the Boy Scouts of America or the Virtus training program offered by the Roman Catholic Church in the USA.
3. Adults working with children must not work in a one-on-one manner and are required to have at least one other adult present. This necessarily cannot apply directly to the Sacrament of Confession, given the secrecy involved in that sacrament. However, priests hearing confession of minors are cautioned against using confession rooms, but rather hearing confessions in traditional, behind-the-screen confessionals with other adults present outside the confessional, or by using church pews, with others present at an appropriate distance.
4. The Church and its suffragan Dioceses and Parishes are not law enforcement agencies. Any accusations desired to be made by children or adults acting on behalf of one or more children of sexual misconduct against a minor by one or more adults who are members of the Church or members of a Diocese or Parish that is a member of the Church must be made to proper law enforcement officials. Members of the Church or a Diocese or Parish hearing such accusations must advise the accuser to make their accusations to the proper authorities. They must further request that the Church, Diocese, and Parish be made aware of relevant legal proceedings, and must further inform proper Church authority to begin preparation for potential suspension and other potential internal processes as necessary for the protection of all involved, as appropriate under Canon Law.

   The Church affirms the sacred Seal of Confession as inviolable under Canon Law, which may not be broken under any circumstance. This seal also applies to confession-like circumstances, such as pastoral counseling or other situations where penitents reasonably expect spiritual confidentiality, regardless of whether formal words of sacramental confession are used, and regardless of the religious affiliation of the person seeking counsel.

   Outside of sacramental confession or such similar circumstances, all members of the Church must respect and comply with applicable civil reporting obligations in their jurisdiction. Where civil law imposes mandatory reporting, members shall notify competent authorities consistent with such law, while also informing proper Church authority so that appropriate canonical measures may be considered. In all instances, Canon Law governs the internal actions of the Church. Additional actions, depending on country, may be required by local law, and variations in actions required in this paragraph may only be made if required by local law, provided such actions do not violate Canon Law. It is the responsibility of each Parish and the undersigned to know and understand the local laws regarding their work with children.

5. When credible allegations are received, the Church may, at the discretion of competent ecclesiastical authority, impose a precautionary suspension from ministry involving minors or vulnerable persons, even prior to civil charges being filed. Formal suspension shall be mandatory if civil charges are filed. Public liturgy may continue under precautionary suspension, but without the participation of altar servers or assistants under the age of 18.
6. Only when a person has been convicted of a crime against a child may that person be recommended for ecclesiastical discipline in accordance with the Code of Canon Law. Persons convicted of a sexual crime against a child may not engage in work in this Church or its member Diocese or Parishes involving one or more children and may be further suspended from all clerical duties pending potential ecclesiastical discipline in accordance with the Code of Canon Law. This suspension may be with or without pay, in the event of a person receiving financial compensation for work performed. Under no circumstances will persons convicted of sexual crimes against a minor be permitted to work with children under the Church or any Diocese or Parish that is a member of the Church, and furthermore may not serve in a parochial capacity. The normal recommendation to be made to the Patriarchal, Metropolitan, or Diocesan Tribunal for a cleric in Major or Minor Orders so convicted is suspension of clerical faculties, temporarily or permanently, and removal from official duties; and for a layman to be removed from all official duties. Due process under the Code of Canon Law will be maintained.
7. Civil suits alleging sexual misconduct will be treated with seriousness and reviewed by competent Church authority. Ecclesiastical measures, including precautionary suspension, may be applied depending on the credibility of the allegations and the circumstances, even in the absence of a final judicial determination.
8. Clergy of this Church, regardless of country, serve as independent clergy licensed or affiliated by the Holy Apostolic See. They do not act as employees or agents of the Holy Apostolic See but exercise their ministry under their own responsibility, consistent with ecclesiastical license. Nothing herein shall be construed to create an employment relationship under secular law.
9. The Holy Apostolic See maintains its status as a sovereign entity under international law and asserts the rights and immunities historically recognized under apostolic commissions, canonical declarations, and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Recognition of these rights may vary depending on jurisdiction, but the Church affirms that its ultimate authority derives from the Apostolic See, not from secular powers.
10. It is the policy of the Church to cooperate as appropriate with competent legal authorities that are carrying out official investigation. Parishes that are members of the Church are expected to cooperate similarly as well. This does not apply under any circumstances to the Seal of Confession or to any other situation prohibited by Canon Law.
11. This policy is subject to change as necessary at any time by the Holy Apostolic See.
12. This policy does not constitute legal advice.

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