THE DIOCESE OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI “ NORTHEAST” CATHOLIC CHURCH OF THE AMERICAS PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN Responsible Relationship in Ministry Ministry entails service to others; it involves relationships. Our relationships with God and one another define who we are the Body of Christ. Relationships in ministry are our richest heritage; we share our hopes and dreams as well as our sorrows and anguish with one another. We relate with one another as servants of the Gospel. We are respectful of the people whom we are called to love and serve. In view of the fact that we encounter Christ in the people we serve, our relationships in ministry take on special importance. To this end, we recognize the need for process to address relationships that are not consistent with our mission as church and that offend human dignity. Preventing child sexual abuse begins with each person being willing to raise his/her own awareness about the nature and scope of child sexual abuse in society, in the community, in the church, in the neighborhood, and among family. “People have the right to be free from sexual harassment and misconduct. No one in the service of the church should subject anyone else to sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct has a devastating impact on victims, and the Diocese of Saint Francis Of Assisi “Northeast” is committed to preventing and eliminating such misconduct. The Bishop’s Delegate for Sexual Misconduct will develop and maintain a process to assure that all who minister and all to whom the church ministers will receive clear communications on the Diocesan Policy on Sexual Misconduct. Diocese of Saint Francis Of Assisi “Northeast” A Policy on Sexual Misconduct. PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN +++++++++++++++++ What to do if you suspect abuse or neglect of a child in MA STATE LAW Massachusetts law requires that any person having reason to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected shall report to the Department of Social Services of the State of Massachusetts. An abuse child is any child who has been sexually abused, physically injured or psychologically injured so that the child exhibits symptoms of emotional problems generally recognized to result from consistent mistreatment or neglect. A child means anyone who has not reached his or her eighteenth (18th) birthday. Report to State of Massachusetts Department of Social Services (800) 792-5200 [HOTLINE After 5PM and weekends] (617) 492-7273 [Boston Area Rape Crisis Center] (800) 499-1731 [Plymouth County] What to do if you suspect abuse of a child by church personnel in MA, MI, NH, VT, NY, CT, RI, DE, NJ, PA, OH, IN, and the Continent of Africa. Besides contacting State authorities, if you suspect abuse by priest, deacon, member of religious institute, employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Saint Francis Of Assisi “Northeast” Report to Delegate of the Bishop of Saint Francis Of Assisi “Northeast” (508) 586-8004