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	New Church Rules to Protect Kids By Jane Sims CNews [Canada] June 15, 2007 http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2007/06/15/4262288-sun.html Priests would not be allowed alone in their homes with a child under long-awaited guidelines aimed at protecting young Roman Catholics from sexual abuse by clergy. The diocese of London's sexual abuse policy and code of conduct was published on its website yesterday and the diocese encouraged public comment before the new rules are finalized. "We're seeking the wisdom of the public and especially those who are closer to these issues," said diocese of London spokesperson Ron Pickersgill. The policy grew out of last year's shocking case of 84-year-old priest Charles Sylvestre, convicted of 47 indecent assaults last fall after decades of sexually abusing girls in Southwestern Ontario in parishes in London, Chatham, Sarnia, Windsor and Pain Court. Sylvestre died in prison three months into his three-year prison sentence. There have been several other high-profile cases involving priests. The guidelines — expected earlier this year but delayed after the church determined the scope was too narrow — include new protections for children participating in the Roman Catholic sacraments. They include: - Setting up a sexual misconduct committee that includes priests, a civil lawyer, a mental health professional and members of the community from related backgrounds and experiences. - A commitment not to return criminally convicted priests back to the active ministry. The code of conduct for clergy includes: - Celebrating the sacraments in a group, not one-on-one. - Restricting priests' living quarters and disallowing a priest to be alone with a child there or in a motor vehicle. - No trips or vacations with children. - "Reasonable boundaries" in relationships with others. Both victims of sexual abuse and critics said the policy is a good first step. Chatham-Kent Crown attorney Paul Bailey, who prosecuted Sylvestre and has advocated for the disgraced priest's victims, called the policy "a beach-head for us." He said he expects a group of Sylvestre's victims will meet to discuss any changes. "If we can get this established and if we can then use it as a template for other dioceses in Ontario and Canada it would be a great thing," he said. London psychologist Alan Leschied, who conducted some of the victims' psychological examinations during Sylvestre's sentencing process, said there was much good in the policy, "They certainly have listened," he said. Carolyn Jewell of London, who was abused as a child by Sylvestre while attending Mount St. Joseph Academy, said there's much to agree with in the policy. "I'd like to see it in action," she said. John Swales, a sex abuse victim of Rev. Barry Glendinning, who along with his brothers successfully sued the diocese for $1.4 million, called it "a hell of a good start." —- HIGHLIGHTS Among the proposed guidelines aimed at protecting young Roman Catholics from sexual abuse by clergy: - All diocesan clergy, lay people or volunteers must report all allegations of sexual misconduct. - A victim's assistance committee that includes survivors of sexual misconduct be set up. - A code of conduct for priests including clear-glass confessionals, the "two-deep rule" requiring two adults in a room with a child and not allowing a priest to be alone with a child in his home. Contact: jsims@lfpress.com
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