Global Issue and Challenge of Power and Abuse in the Church
Posted On April 13, 2012
The experience of abuse in the church, although grabbing headlines in the USA and Europe, is indeed a global issue that the Church world wide is grappling with. I wanted to share this short article of Fr. Kelly, SJ in Thailand and efforts underway in other places in the global church we hear little of.
Japan led the way in Asia by developing procedures for handling claims of sexual abuse by Church professionals – lay and clerical.
Now India and the Philippines are playing catch-up on something that has been the biggest scandal the Catholic Church worldwide has faced in living memory.
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Marie Collins, abuse survivor from Ireland addresses
symposium in Rome |
Now the Church in Indonesia appears to have reached agreement with the national government to cooperate in the development of a reporting network for sex abuse.
That’s about as far as the formal tools to handle the matter reach in Asia. But the lag won’t last as long as it did in some countries like the United States in getting around to addressing the issue. MORE>>>
Other interesting links on what the Church is doing to overcome problems of abuse and provide transparent accountability to the people of God:
2010 Press Release of the Xaverian Missionaries
The Xaverian Missionaries, a religious missionary congregation whose Provincial headquarters has been in the Diocese of Paterson since 1967, has been awarded Praesidium Accreditation™ by Praesidium, the national leader in abuse risk management. Praesidium Accreditation confirms that an individual order or congregation has been found by an independent team of specialists to meet or exceed all Standards for Accreditation.
To attain accreditation, The Xaverian Missionaries underwent a long educational process and a rigorous assessment to clarify their responsibilities, identify best practices, and evaluate the extent to which they are meeting these defined standards. Each accreditation standard was independently verified by Praesidium.
The Xaverian Missionaries was found to be in compliance with the highest current national standards for protecting children. They have acted upon the call to more accountability and transparency in how to protect children, handle allegations of sexual abuse, reach out to victims, and supervise members who have sexually abused.
The Xaverian Missionaries will be accredited for three years, and during this time will uphold fundamental values and stringent safety practices that demonstrate their commitment to protecting those they serve from abuse.
The Xaverian Missionaries works in nineteen countries worldwide in the foundation of new Christian communities, interreligious dialogue, solidarity and with the poorest through justice, peace and integrity of creation. The Provincial Superior Fr. Carl Chudy and the Provincial Administrator, Fr. Frank Grappoli, may be contacted at 12 Helene Court, Wayne, New Jersey. Their phone is 973-942-2975. The website is at: www.xaviermissionaries.org
Praesidium is the national leader in abuse risk management and has worked with thousands of
companies worldwide for over 20 years. More information about Praesidium Accreditation is
Sexual abuse is happening anywhere but the disgusting issue is that sexual abuse is also happening in the church.
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