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Staying Focused
on the Goal
In the VIRTUS
Online™ featured article from February 18, 2005, my colleague,
Dr. Michael Bland, clearly outlined the 2004 Annual Report on the
Implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and
Young People. It is clear from the findings that Dr. Bland outlines
that we, as Church, have much to be proud of concerning our
accomplishments in educational programs to protect children and
vulnerable adults from sexual abuse. What is also clear is that we
must continue to do this proactive work as long as children and
vulnerable adults are in our midst.
Some are angered
by the report and dwell on the glass being half empty. Others rejoice
in the fact that for the first time in many years the entire Church
in the United States is focused and united in one major effort to
protect children. Others still remain hurt, alienated, and frustrated
that the work has come too late. Some want the problem to go away and
are sick and tired of reading about it in the media, and hearing
about it in the parishes. What is most important is that we maintain
our course and forge ahead. Only together can we continue the good
works we have begun and that God has begun in us. (Refer to
Philippians 1:6)
We must focus our
attention on our goal to educate as many people as possible—to
educate those who minister in and through the Church—about
recognizing, preventing, and appropriately responding to child sexual
abuse. We must continue to be united in prayer so that those among us
committed to education, the healing ministries, pastoral and
liturgical ministries, healthcare and social ministries, and all
other ministries and apostolates in the Church, will do their best to
bring a renewed sense of faith and a deep and abiding presence of
healing, forgiveness and mercy to those who need it most.
No great task
comes without great price. No such undertaking can be rushed or
covered up. We must continue to rely on the Holy Spirit who inspires
us to use our gifts to bring back restored trust in the millions of
good lay ministers, religious, and clergy who serve the Church.
Millions have been
trained through the Protecting God’s Children awareness sessions
and, together we have done much to prevent children from being hurt.
Yet, while we may grow weary and tired on this journey, we need to
focus on what is important so future generations can live in security
and peace.
As I travel and
present the Protecting God’s Children program, and when I am
working in my home diocese with catechists and pastoral ministers,
one “speed bump” that I come across repeatedly is “Step
5: Communicate Your Concerns.” It seems as though everyone is
willing to do almost everything that the program suggests—except
to communicate their concerns when “the behavior of an adult in
the faith community gives you an uneasy in the gut feeling” (A
Plan to Protect God’s Children, Narrator, Facilitator’s
Manual, page 50).
In general, people
find it difficult to confront those with whom they work or volunteer.
Yet, “Step 5: Communicate Your Concerns,” is crucial to the
success of our safe environment programs. Nothing will change unless
we find the courage to challenge those with whom we work when their
behavior causes us concerns.
When we see any
type of adult behavior that might place the adult and a child in
jeopardy, it is our obligation to do at least one of the following:
• Talk to the
person directly.
• Talk to the
person’s direct supervisor.
• Talk with
the supervisor’s supervisor (the pastor or principal, for example).
When you address
the person directly, be sure to frame your concerns to include the
well-being of the adult staff member or volunteer. For example, you
can say: “According to our new policies, when you tutor
individual students in your classroom after school, you are placing
the child and yourself at risk. I would never want anything to happen
to any of the children, or to you.” This is difficult, because
you risk hurting the individual’s feelings. But, your method of
communicating can help them to become enrolled in the goals of the
safe environment program instead of putting them on the defensive.
Communicate to them that you are not judging them, but rather are
offering your observations to help them provide the safest
environment possible for themselves and the children with whom they work.
If you find this
type of conversation too difficult, speak directly to a supervisor
and be prepared to continue “up the chain of command” until
someone in a position of authority assures you that the behavior will
be addressed. After all, we must take into account the serious nature
of community grooming that occurs in many abuse situations.
When a child
discloses abuse to you, or you see warning signs that a child is
being abused, it is always prudent to immediately report your
concerns to civil and Church authorities. Immediately call the child
abuse hotline and report your concerns to those who are familiar with
these types of cases. And, when you report suspected abuse by a
member of the clergy, religious, pastoral staff, or a church worker
or volunteer, you must also inform Church authorities so they may
take immediate action to stop any wrongdoing and prevent any
additional harm.
The work of God is
seldom easy, but always rewarding. As a Church, we have been faced
with the horrors of sexual abuse in a way we never imagined. As a
Church, we put our faith into immediate action by implementing
programs to make our communities safe for all children and vulnerable
adults. We haven’t yet reached the “finish line” but,
with God’s help, we will continue this important work, never
resting until all of God’s children are protected and feel safe. |
