Abbot Nathan's Statement

MOUNT ANGEL ABBEY
Child Abuse Policy

I. INTRODUCTION

In the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) recognized past failures on the part of church leadership to provide a safe environment in which children and young people were protected from abuse by clergy and other church personnel. By adopting the Charter, they pledged themselves to protect children and young people in the future.

Dioceses will establish ‘safe environment' programs. They will cooperate with parents, civil authorities, educators, and community organizations to provide education and training for children, youth, parents, ministers, educators and others about ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children.

USCCB Charter, Article 12

We pledge most solemnly to one another and to you, God's people, that we will work to our utmost for the protection of children and youth.

USCCB Charter, Article 12

The monks of Mount Angel Abbey are appalled by the abuse of children and young people no matter where it occurs. Child abuse is particularly heinous when the perpetrator is a member of the clergy or other church personnel. Mount Angel Abbey is committed to the USCCB pledge to protect children and young people in all works and ministries undertaken in the name of the monastic community.

All members of the monastic community, employees, volunteers and seminarians must adhere to the Program for Child Protection as described in this document. When official duties are carried out at another facility or under another institution's direction and supervision, all members are also subject to that facility's or institution's policies and procedures.

A.Works and ministries of Mount Angel Abbey

1. Monastery

a. Spiritual direction, sacramental confession and other pastoral care

b. Parishes and chaplaincies

Clerics of Mount Angel Abbey serving as pastors, parochial vicars, and deacons in parishes of the Archdiocese of Portland or of another (arch)diocese, are under the canonical jurisdiction of the (arch)diocese in which they are serving.

1. Benet Hall Guesthouse

a. Retreats: group and private

b. Reception of individual guests

c. Spiritual direction and other pastoral care

3. Mount Angel Abbey Library Services

4. Mount Angel Seminary

Seminarians enrolled in Mount Angel Seminary are subject to the polices and procedures of the Program as outlined in this document during the academic year and while participating in programs required by the seminary and supervised by seminary personnel, unless otherwise specified in this document. The implementation of the Program in regard to seminary students is the responsibility of the President-Rector who works in collaboration with the Office of Child Protection and the Office of Human Resources of Mount Angel Abbey.

Pastoral Formation Program of Mount Angel Seminary

Deacon Assignments:

Archdiocese of Portland. Deacons, who serve in the Archdiocese of Portland as part of the Pastoral Formation Program of Mount Angel Seminary, are assigned by the seminary to a parish, with the consent of the pastor and in consultation with archdiocesan personnel. They receive faculties to minister from the Archbishop of Portland.

Archdiocese of Seattle. Deacons of the Archdiocese of Seattle, who serve within the Archdiocese of Seattle as part of the Pastoral Formation Program of Mount Angel Seminary, are assigned by the seminary to a parish, with the consent of the pastor and in consultation with archdiocesan personnel. They receive faculties to minister from the Archbishop of Seattle.

Pastoral Internship:

Diocesan Seminarians. A diocesan seminarian is assigned by his (arch)bishop to an internship in the diocese of his affiliation as part of the Pastoral Formation Program of Mount Angel Seminary. While an intern, the seminarian is under the direct supervision of his appointed supervisor within the (arch)diocese.

Religious Seminarians. A religious seminarian is assigned by his superior to an internship as part of the Pastoral Formation Program of Mount Angel Seminary. While an intern, the religious seminarian is under the direct supervision of his appointed supervisor within the parish in which he is serving.

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE):

A seminarian participates in CPE and is subject to the supervision, policies, and procedures of the program that has selected him as a participant.

Field Education Assignments:

Archdiocese of Portland. Non-ordained seminarians serve in parishes and other Catholic institutions incorporated within the Archdiocese of Portland as part of the Field Education Program of Mount Angel Seminary. They may also serve in institutions not incorporated within the Archdiocese or in non-Catholic institutions as part of the Field Education Program of Mount Angel Seminary.

Summer Assignments:

Summer pastoral assignments are not part of Mount Angel Seminary's Pastoral Formation Program. If a seminarian is assigned to a placement during the summer by his bishop or religious superior, the seminarian is subject to the supervision, control, policies and procedures established for the protection of children and young people by the (arch)diocese in which he is serving.

The Program for Child Protection is intended to help insure a safe environment for children and young people at Mount Angel Abbey and to foster a system of Catholic moral values and attitudes among Abbey personnel and seminarians. The Church must be a safe environment for all who come to her, especially children and young people.

All Abbey personnel and seminarians are expected to understand the goals and requirements of this Program and to implement them diligently in the performance of their duties. The conduct of Abbey personnel and seminarians, both public and private, has the potential to inspire and motivate people or scandalize and weaken their faith. All personnel and seminarians must be aware of the responsibilities that accompany their vocation and their work.

The policies established in this Program supercede all other policies established for the protection of children and young people in use within Mount Angel Abbey and Seminary at the time of promulgation, but they are not intended to supercede canon law or civil law.

The Abbot of Mount Angel Abbey retains the right at all times to address matters pertaining to these policies brought to his attention on a case-by-case basis in order to respond to specific situations and issues which may require an alternate response, with due respect for the requirements of civil and canon law and the goals of this Program for Child Protection.

One Abbey Drive • St. Benedict, Oregon 97373 • 503.845.3515
www.mtangel.edu