Abbot Nathan's Statement

II. CODE OF ETHICAL STANDARDS

A. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

	1.	Stewards of Authority Throughout his public ministry, Jesus encountered many challenges concerning the origin of his authority. "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?" (Mt 21:23, Mk 11:28). Abbey personnel and seminarians that are in positions of leadership recognize that the authority of leadership comes from God as a gift for the welfare of the Church and it should be carried out with personal integrity and good stewardship.
	2.	Integrity Abbey personnel and seminarians are expected to be persons of integrity, honesty, and of high moral standards, and as such, they have a responsibility to lead by example. In the performance of their duties they are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible and conscientious manner, free from any deception, corruption, or action that could be deemed improper.
	3.	Respect for Others Abbey personnel and seminarians respect the rights, dignity and worth of each person they encounter as a creation of God. They strive to be sensitive to cultural differences among people and appreciate the opportunities that diversity brings. Abbey personnel and seminarians are aware that issues of age, gender, race, religion, physical and mental disabilities, and language all affect how the message of the Gospel is received and interpreted.
	4.	Commitment to the Church and the Community Abbey personnel and seminarians that are in positions of leadership embrace the teachings of Jesus and work to promote the Gospel. The Scriptures and the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church guide personnel and seminarians that are in positions of leadership when decisions must be made that directly affect those who are served.
	5.	Personal Well-being Abbey personnel and seminarians are responsible for attending to their own physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and intellectual health. They should nurture their strengths in these areas and attend to their shortcomings. They should be supportive of one another in maintaining a sense of well-being. Abbey personnel and seminarians should be alert to any impediments to their well-being and seek appropriate assistance.

B. GUIDELINES FOR WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Providing pastoral care to children and young people is a critical work of the Church and her ministers. There are, however, important considerations to take into account when providing this ministry. When working with children and young people, it is particularly important to recognize the imbalance of authority and power possessed by an adult, whether cleric or lay, over a child. In light of the requirements for ethical exercise of authority and the particular vulnerability of children and young people, Abbey personnel and seminarians must observe the following guidelines when dealing with children and young people:

	1.	Respect and care are always to be shown to children and young people. Abbey personnel and seminarians must always use prudential judgment marked by personal and professional integrity to ensure the safety of minors, avoiding all inappropriate behavior or even the appearances of impropriety.
	2.	When providing one-on-one pastoral care to a minor, meetings should take place in open and accessible locations. Meetings must be arranged at times and in places that assure accountability, e.g., open spaces, rooms with glass doors, areas where other adults are present, and normally with the knowledge of parents or guardians.
	3.	Retreats, days of recollection, or other gatherings for minors sponsored by Mount Angel Abbey must include the participation of parents or designated guardians. An appropriate ratio of parents or guardians to young people must be maintained during any event. The ratio may vary according to the age of the children and the event. Children under the age of 10 will normally require a higher ratio of adult supervision, e.g., 1 - 5; children over 10 will normally require a lower ratio, e.g., 1 - 10. Good judgment must be used in each case by those responsible. Under no circumstance may only one adult supervise such a gathering.
	4.	No ongoing email correspondence with children or young people is permitted except with family members and for official business of the Abbey and Seminary, e.g., vocations work. Online chats or chat room conversations between adults and minors are never appropriate.
	5.	Resident Abbey personnel and seminarians are to avoid, whenever reasonably possible, being alone with a minor (or minors) in a residence, automobile, bedroom, locker room, rest room, dressing facility, classroom, or any isolated area. Overnight trips with a minor alone are never permitted.
	6.	No one under 18 may reside in Abbey facilities, except in the case of a first-year college student, unless supervised by parents or a guardian.
	7.	No one under 18 may be taken to the living quarters of resident Abbey personnel or seminarians, except in the case of family members.
	8.	Minors (and those under 21) are not to be given alcoholic beverages, tobacco, or illegal drugs. When supervising minors, Abbey personnel and seminarians are prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages.
	9.	Physical contact with minors should be limited and appropriate. Behavior that may be construed as inappropriate is prohibited. If a minor initiates physical contact, an appropriate but limited response is proper, e.g., handshake, brief embrace, hand on shoulder.
	10.	Physical discipline of a minor is never permitted.
	11.	Use of sexually explicit material or pornographic language is strictly prohibited and never appropriate for an adult or a minor.

C. APPROPRIATE AND INAPPROPRIATE DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

The following are appropriate displays of affection in ministry in the presence of parents or other adults:

	a.	hugs;
	b.	pats on the shoulder or back;
	c.	hand-shakes;
	d.	“high-fives” and hand slapping;
	e.	verbal praise;
	f.	arm around shoulders;
	g.	holding hands during prayer or when a person is upset;
	h.	holding hands while walking with small children;
	i.	sitting close to small children;
	j.	kneeling or bending down for hugs with small children;
	k.	holding or picking up children three years old and younger.

The following are inappropriate displays of affection in ministry:

	a.	any form of unwanted affection;
	b.	full frontal hugs or “bear hugs”;
	c.	touching bottoms, chests or genital areas;
	d.	laying down or sleeping beside minors;
	e.	massages;
	f.	patting children on the thigh, knee or leg;
	g.	tickling or wrestling;
	h.	touching or hugging from behind;
	i.	games involving inappropriate touching;
	j.	kisses on the mouth;
	k.	showing affection in isolated areas of the facilities such as bedrooms, closets, restricted areas, or other private rooms;
	l.	compliments that relate to physique or body development.

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