wfn.org | Episcopalians: Roman Catholics discuss sexual misconduct policies with ecumenical partners

[dmack@episcopalchurch.org]

June 7, 2002

2002-146

Episcopalians: Roman Catholics discuss sexual misconduct 
policies with ecumenical partners

(ENS) In the afternoon of June 5, 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 
cooperate 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 Rev. Dr. William Allen (Christian Church, Disciples of 
Christ); Archbishop Khajag Barsamian (Armenian Orthodox Church 
in America);  The Very Rev. David Brum (Orthodox Church of 
America); Mr. David Early (U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops); 
The Rev. Jon Enslin (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America); 
The Rt. Rev. Christopher Epting (The Episcopal Church); The Rev. 
David Fromm (Reformed Church in America); The Most Rev. Frank T. 
Griswold (The Episcopal Church); Brother Jeffrey Gros (U.S. 
Conference of Catholic Bishops);  The Very Reverend Alexei 
Karlgut (Orthodox Church of America); William Cardinal Keeler 
(U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops);  The Rev. Cletus Kiley 
(U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops);  The Very Reverend Father 
Simeon Odobashian (Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in 
America);  The Rev. Bruce Robbins (United Methodist Church);  
Bishop Savas of Troas (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese);  The Rev. 
Lydia Veliko (United Church of Christ), and The Rev. Robina 
Winbush (Presbyterian Church U.S.A.) 

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