To the Clergy, Wardens, Vestry Members, Staff, Volunteers, and People of the Anglican Diocese of the Carolinas,
In the apostle Peter’s first pastoral letter, he exhorted church elders “as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ…Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:1-3). In that spirit, I entrust to you the safeguarding of our people from sexual misconduct and abuse as a central aspect of our charge to shepherd God’s flock.
The Anglican Diocese of the Carolinas accepts with deep gratitude and seriousness the trust given us by God to nurture and care for his people, especially those who are most vulnerable and in need of
protection. This work can be tedious, taxing, and at times quite costly. But we must embrace our responsibility to do so willingly, eagerly, and as examples of Christ’s own commitment to each of his sheep.
In company with the Bishops and people of the Anglican Church in North America, the churches of the Anglican Diocese of the Carolinas affirm:
that every human being is created in the image of God, and we are called to be stewards of God’s creation;
that sexuality is good, blessed, and purposeful; sexuality is a gift inherent in our maleness and femaleness and expressed either in the bonds of marriage between one man and one woman or in the practice of celibacy in singleness;
that this understanding of sexuality calls for equal respect for all men, women, and children as persons made in God’s image, and for everyone’s right to sexual and physical integrity;
that children, adolescents, the infirm, and elderly are particularly vulnerable to the tragic consequences of broken covenants and abusive treatment, and special care must be taken to protect their individual rights and personal integrity;
that all types of abuse (verbal, physical, neglect, and sexual misconduct) will be taken seriously by the Diocese and, when required by law, will be reported to the appropriate local, state, and/or federal agency;
that the protection of the vulnerable shall be of utmost concern;
that the Church has consistently recognized that those chosen for ordained ministry bear a particular responsibility to pattern their lives according to Jesus’ teaching. Bishops, priests, deacons, and lay leaders are called to be faithful examples of the Christian life. Any moral offense by clergy or laity entrusted with pastoral and educational ministries is especially hurtful because it betrays the trust committed to each by the Church to nurture and care for every member.
This policy was prayerfully and thoughtfully written to guide us in the work of awareness, prevention, healthy interaction, and godly response to matters of sexual misconduct and abuse in our midst. Given the prevalence of sexual trauma in our culture, I recognize this may be difficult material for some. Given our tendency to believe the best about ourselves and our leaders, I recognize implementing these guidelines may be equally challenging. However, considering the nature of our calling as church leaders and the stakes involved in that call, I present this policy to you as required reading for all clergy, vestry members, all church employees, and all volunteers/teachers for children/youth in our Diocese. Additionally, I commend it to all members of our Diocese as a resource for understanding our commitment to create and maintain a healthy environment for everyone the Lord brings to us.
With gratitude for your partnership in the gospel,
++Steve Wood
Anglican Church in North America