March 16, 2025 - "ADW Safe Environment Policy Continued"

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Last week I mentioned five things to know about the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington’s Safe Environment Policy.  This week I want to mention five more things to know about the Safe Environment Policy of the Archdiocese.

 

1.              Our Safe Environment Policy also mandates reporting of all allegations of suspected abuse to both civil authorities consistent with local laws, and to the Archdiocese. These reporting requirements are explained in Section III of the Policy, and additional guidance to assist with mandatory reporting is provided in the Appendices to the Policy. 

 

2. Our Safe Environment Policy prescribes a clear, timely, and just process in response to all allegations. Section IV of the Policy explains the process the Archdiocese follow in responding to allegations made against clergy, employees, and volunteers.

 

3. The Archdiocese has a “zero tolerance” policy for abuse. Section IV of the Policy provides that a single act of sexual abuse by any cleric, employee, or volunteer that is admitted, or established after an appropriate process, will be grounds for permanent removal from ministry. 

 

4. The Archdiocese relies upon an advisory board of professionals to assist with its safe environment efforts. As explained in Section V of the Policy, this advisory board, which is comprised mainly of lay people who have relevant expertise, regularly consults with the Archbishop on all aspects of the Archdiocese’s safe environment policies and assists the Archbishop when there has been an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult made against a member of the clergy.

 

5. The Archdiocese is committed to accountability and transparency. The Archdiocese undergoes an annual audit of its safe environment program and publishes an annual report that compiles data and compliance information related to its safe environment program.

 

Finally, a parishioner shared with me this quotation from Pope Francis.  I share it with you as it will help us keep our priorities straight as we begin this Lenten season:

 

 “Eat whatever you want during Holy Week, the sacrifice is not in the stomach but in the heart. People abstain from eating meat, but they do not talk to their siblings and/or relatives, they do not visit their parents and do not take care of their children. They do not share their food with those who need it most, they distance their children from their father/mother and/or grandparents, they criticize the lives of others, mistreat their partner, etc. Meat does not make you a bad person, just as a fish fillet will not make you a saint. Better to seek a good relationship with God by doing good to others. Let us be less arrogant and more humble of heart.” 

 

Until next week,

Fr. John