January 26, 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In February 2010, the Responsible Ministry and Safe Environment protocol was implemented in the Diocese of Yarmouth and the Archdiocese of Halifax. Its intent was to improve and maintain a safe environment for a more responsible ministry. It was also meant to develop an effective process of accountability, for a more transparent, open and accountable Church.
In 2018, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops approved a series of recommendations for implementation in the dioceses of Canada. One of these being that each diocese would “implement/update a diocesan safeguarding policy conforming to the highest standards of responsible ministry”.
Over the past months, we have reviewed and updated our Responsible Ministry & Safe Environment Protocol to reflect lessons learned in keeping with the commitment of the Bishops of Canada. This was meant to provide a safe and healthy environment for all we are called to serve, as well as those who work and volunteer within our Church.
Canadian Reporting System for Sexual Abuse or Cover-up by a Catholic BishopDisclosing an experience of sexual abuse can be very unsettling and deeply painful; however, it can also be an important step toward healing and justice for victims-survivors, and is necessary for the Church in its commitment to responsibility, accountability and transparency. Sexual abuse or other sexual misconduct by a Bishop, or or whose actions or omissions intended to interfere with or avoid civil investigations or canonical investigations regarding sexual abuse, can be reported to Church authorities using the Canadian Reporting System for Sexual Abuse or Cover-up by a Catholic Bishop. This reporting system uses a confidential and secure platform designed by ClearView, an independent professional ethics firm based in Canada, to transmit your report to the proper Church authorities, who in turn will act as required by church and civil law.
You may also wish to contact civil authorities and are required to do so if a minor is at risk as per the laws of each Canadian province and territory. See Provincial and territorial child protection legislation and policy (2018) by the Public Health Agency of Canada, Table 6 “Duty to Report”. If you are concerned about any other kind of misconduct by a Bishop, or if your report concerns sexual abuse by a priest, deacon, consecrated person (Brother or Sister), or officially mandated pastoral personnel, please contact the diocese/eparchy where the incident occurred. If your report concerns the current or a previous Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, contact your diocese/eparchy for assistance in reporting the incident to the Secretariat of State of the Holy See. To report misconduct in the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth click here The Canadian Reporting System for Sexual Abuse or Cover-up by a Catholic Bishop was established by the Bishops of Canada in response to Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter Vos estis lux mundi
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Bishop Reporting System
To report misconduct
by a Canadian Bishop
click here
