Stronger child protection practices
Special sitting of Synod adopts new regulations approved by national church
A Special Session of the Synod of the Anglican Church in Central & Western NSW met last Saturday (February 17) to consider Canons passed by the General Synod last September and sent on to our Diocese for assent or adoption.
Many of these Canons were responses to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and they basically fell into three areas:
1. Providing safe ministry practices to protect children and vulnerable people.
2. Making Bishops and Former Bishops more accountable for how they handle allegations of misconduct.
3. Advising and protecting priests who hear of grave misconduct as they listen to confessions.
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| Explanation: Bishop Ian gave a comprehensive explanation of each of the new regulations being presented to Synod, so that delegates had a clear understanding of what they were voting on (file photo). |
Safe Ministry Canon
For the first time this brings in nationally agreed standards for providing safe ministry, for lay people and in the screening and training of clergy.
The Synod adopted this Canon so it does now apply in our Diocese, but asked the Bishop only to give his assent when we have clear guidance about the checks necessary for youth leaders under the age of 18.
How we comply with these safe ministry standards and practices will be audited and the audit published.
Accountability of Bishops
There has not been national agreement on how to hold Bishops and Former Bishops accountable for their actions, especially in handling allegations of sexual misconduct.
In a series of Canons which changed the Offences Canon to include failure to act on reports of child abuse; then set up and approved Tribunals to examine the conduct of Bishops, a new system was put in place and agreed that will hold Bishops and former Bishops accountable.
In another Canon, Synod agreed to permit Tribunals to depose clergy from the Order of Bishop or Priest or Deacon instead of only having the option of deposition from all their Orders.
Hearing Confessions
A formal Confession is usually absolutely confidential, but two Canons instructed the priest to report a probable grave offence against a child or vulnerable person or if that child or person was in danger.
The Canons also protected the priest in taking this action.
Other matters from General Synod
In an Opening Address Bishop Ian reported on other important subjects agreed by the General Synod:
Marriage: reaffirming the teaching of Jesus and our church, that marriage is an exclusive and lifelong union of a man and a woman. It asked the Doctrine Commission to facilitate a respectful conversation in our church through a collection of essays on marriage and same-sex relationships.
The General Synod condemned Domestic Violence and apologised for the failures of the church in teaching and pastoral care to support victims and hold perpetrators to account. All diocese were told to ensure they have policies and good practice guidelines in place, along with education and training, for responding well to situations involving domestic violence within our parishes and organisations.
The General Synod urged each diocese to give 0.7 per cent of gross income to projects supporting sustainable development goals and to work towards spiritually-inspired stewardship in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and engage in teaching and preaching on the theology of the environment.
In his Presidential Address, Bishop Ian referred to the final Report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
He said he was “appalled to see the extent of abuse by people who on account of their Christian calling were supposed to protect the vulnerable and live holy lives”.
“I am ashamed of what people within the church have done, and again, as I have done on many other occasions, say to those who have survived abuse, how sorry I am.”