ISTI Recommendations for the Prevention of Clergy Sexual Misconduct
 

6 June 2000, ISTI National Conference, Saint John’s Abbey and University, Collegeville MN 56321 USA

320.363.3994 -- isti@csbsju.edu -- www.csbsju.edu/isti
 

When individuals of any congregation fail in their integrity, everyone is a victim and everyone suffers.  Nowhere is this more evident than when clergy compromise leadership and violate their trust through sexual misconduct.  The challenge of faith communities is thoughtfully to do everything possible to prevent any action that violates the dignity and integrity of another and to face squarely the demands of healing because of the past.  This enormous challenge can be appropriately met not in secrecy and isolation but in close cooperation among the professions -- medicine, psychiatry, law, social services, and religion -- and in listening carefully to those who are violated sexually through the misuse of power and trust. 

People and institutions of faith all benefit in the long-run by working openly together to realize those constructive changes that are necessary for healing and prevention.  Just as we cannot be ruled by fear, neither can we be consoled by ignorance.  Therefore, the healing of congregations and the prevention of abuse require prayerful reflection and continuing attention within faith traditions and denominations to build appropriate safeguards and protect human dignity as well as to enrich our understanding, check our vulnerability, and strengthen our integrity.

At minimum, congregational healing and prevention of the abuse of leadership trust within faith communities and systems require:

1.  a regularly updated policy document that explicitly sets professional standards and behavioral expectations and that includes a structure of supervision and accountability at all levels of ministry service in pastoral and educational settings, as well as a code of professional ethics in ministry leadership.  This readily available, widely disseminated public document, is to include procedures for (a) reporting allegations of misconduct within faith structures as well as to civil authorities as appropriate, (b) follow-up processes of impartial investigation and conclusion, (c) support for the victim and the victim's family and loved ones, (d) appropriate assistance by a person selected by the victim, and (e) help for the congregation. Those responsible for implementing policy require advance systematic training.

2.  education programs for ordained and lay leaders of faith communities that promote a sound and affirming understanding of sexuality and the ability to assist congregants and peers who seek help in the development of sexual and spiritual health.

3.  an ongoing education program mandated for ordained and lay leaders about boundaries that focuses on relational integrity, professional propriety, and responsible self-care in ministry leadership.  Such a program is to include legal consequences of misconduct, issues of gender, power and leadership, and transference/counter transference.

4.  a continuing education program for congregations to identity and promote health, reduce risk, and increase safety in faith communities.  This program is to include procedures for pastoral supervision and reporting and accountability.  It should also alert the faithful to inappropriate pastoral leadership behaviors.

5.  a written procedure for reporting and acting on allegations of ministry misconduct and communicating appropriate information within the congregation.  This written procedure establishes a system-wide norm of appropriate disclosure following disciplinary action.  It is essential that this document safeguards internal accountability about reporting practices and underscores the safety needs of the victim including an impartial advocate who physically accompanies the victim as appropriate.

6.  support for victims and their families and loved ones that models affirmation, even when they are no longer members of the congregation.  Victims require immediate and direct communication with appropriate judicatory levels of leadership within faith traditions.  Victims need continuing advocacy to assist the victim-disclosure process at every juncture, explicit pastoral affirmation, financial support, and other resources of their congregations.  They require ongoing assistance in reclaiming their sense of personal safety and well-being.  The goal is a restoration of trust, congregational inclusion, and education about victimization to reduce risk.

7.  a policy that an offender be removed, consistent with due process and written procedures, when there has been an authoritative determination that an offense occurred.  Structural safeguards are to be implemented to protect all current and future congregants from further abuse by the offender in any faith community.  The policy should seek means of identifying offenders even when they leave the faith community.

8.  ongoing, careful analysis of each case of sexual misconduct in ministry leadership in order to increase learning and reduce systemic and personal causes of misconduct and to strengthen confidence in the tradition of religion and its ministry.  Denominations and the therapeutic community are encouraged to make available files on clergy sexual misconduct for research and monitoring.

ISTI urges the leadership of all faith traditions, at all levels of administration and pastoral or educational service, to review and implement their policies and procedures and to examine their attitudes in light of these guidelines recommended for the well-being of congregations and institutions of faith.

 

Interfaith Sexual Trauma Institute, Roman Paur, Executive Director