DOCSLIB.ORG

Reporting Centre Sexual Abuse Within the Roman Catholic Church in The

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Reporting Centre Sexual Abuse Within the Roman Catholic Church in The Reporting Centre Sexual Abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in the Netherlands Netherlands the in Church Catholic Roman the Abuse within Sexual Centre Reporting Reporting Centre Sexual Abuse Report on activities 2011-2018 within the Roman Catholic Church in the Netherlands Report on activities 2011-2018 Reporting Centre Sexual Abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in the Netherlands Reporting Centre Report on activities 2011-2018 Victim Support Platform Complaints Committee Compensation Committee Contents Organisational structure 5 Timeline 6 Summary 9 Foreword 13 1 From Help & Justice to Reporting Centre 17 2 Report of the Board 21 3 Reporting Centre Sexual Abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in the Netherlands 39 4 Victim Support Platform 47 5 The Complaints Committee 59 6 Compensation Committee 73 7 Finances 85 8 Stories from practice 89 Appendices 117 3 This is a publication of the Management and Monitoring Foundation on Sexual Abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in the Netherlands Editors: Liesbeth Sanders and Ben Spekman, Reporting Centre Sexual Abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in the Netherlands Layout: Désirée Meulenkamp, Libertas Pascal Printer: Libertas Pascal, Utrecht www.meldpuntmisbruikrkk@nl Organisational structure Management and Monitoring Foundation Reporting Centre Victim Support Complaints Compensation Platform Committee Committee 4 5 TIMELINE TIMELINE Timeline recognition and reparation solely for victims of violence. This decision ensues from publi- cation of the report of the Deetman Commission’s follow-up inquiry into violence against girls, on 11 March 2013. 1995 Establishment by the church of Help & Justice (Hulp & Recht), a body for victims of sexual 2013 On 7 July, members of the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Security and abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in the Netherlands. Justice visit the Reporting Centre. They include the (later Minister of Justice) Ard van der Steur. With the consent of victims, some members of parliament will later attend hearings 2010 A stream of complaints from victims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in the of the Complaints Committee. Netherlands follows the publication of reports by NRC Handelsblad and the Wereldomroep (the Dutch world broadcasting service) on 26 February. Practically all of the cases are bar- 2013 On 5 November, the chairmen of the Conference of Bishops, the Conference of Dutch Reli- red from action under criminal and civil law by the statute of limitations. gious and the Koepel Landelijk Overleg Kerkelijk Kindermisbruik (KLOKK) (Cardinal Eijk, Brother Van Dam and Mr. Klabbers, respectively) present a report on the current status of 2010 On 9 March, the Conference of Bishops and the Conference of Dutch Religious initiate an measures to address sexual abuse in the Catholic Church to Minister of Security and Justice independent inquiry by a commission chaired by former minister and Speaker of the Dutch Ivo Opstelten. This so-called ‘baseline measurement’ was written by Mr. René Westra. House of Representatives, Wim Deetman. 2013 Because of the decline in the number of complaints, at the end of the year the Conference 2010 On 9 December, the Deetman Commission publishes an interim report, calling mainly for of Bishops and the Conference of Dutch Religious establish a deadline of 1 July 2014 for the reorganisation of Help & Justice. The Conference of Bishops and the Conference of submitting complaints. Dutch Religious decide to delegate implementation of the recommendation to a commit- tee chaired by Mr. Ronald Bandell, a former mayor of Dordrecht. 2014 The victims’ organisation Women’s Platform for Child Abuse in the Catholic Church (Vrouwen Platform Kerkelijk Kindermisbruik, VPKK) institutes legal proceedings against 2011 On 24 June, the Bandell Commission recommends the establishment of an independent the closing date for submitting claims of 1 July 2014. On 12 October, the court rules that 6 Reporting Centre for Sexual Abuse of Minors within the Roman Catholic Church, with a the deadline must be extended to 1 May 2015. 7 Victim Support Platform, a Complaints Committee and a Compensation Committee. Oversight is to be exercised by an independent body, the Management and Monitoring 2015 On 1 May, the Conference of Bishops and the Conference of Dutch Religious establish a Foundation on Sexual Abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in the Netherlands (Stich­ Reporting Centre for Transgressional Behaviour. New cases of abuse of minors will conti- ting Beheer en Toezicht). The Board of the foundation is chaired by Ms. Karla Peijs, former nue to be reported to the police. The Reporting Centre is intended for transgressional Queen’s Commissioner in Zeeland (until 1 July 2014); its secretary is Mr. Rob van de Beeten behaviour not covered by criminal law. (chairman from 1 July 2014); and its treasurer is Mr. Ton Peek. (Mr. Jan Brenninkmeijer joins the Board as secretary from 15 January 2015.) 2015 On 12 October, the Conference of Bishops and the Conference of Dutch Religious adopt rules for a ‘final action’ for victims whose complaints were initially declared unfounded, 2011 On 20 June, the Lindenbergh Commission publishes the compensation scheme that has been but were believed to be authentic. drawn up on behalf of the Conference of Bishops and the Conference of Dutch Religious. 2016 On 26 June, Mr. Deetman publishes his final monitoring report on five years of activities 2011 On 16 December, the Deetman Commission publishes the report ‘Sexual Abuse of Minors on behalf of victims of sexual abuse. The report is discussed for the first time with the in the Roman Catholic Church’. House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Security and Justice on 30 June, with the hearing being completed on 14 December. 2012 On 28 September, the former Deetman Commission publishes its first monitoring report, One of the subjects discussed is the issue of the archives. Minister Van der Steur promises which is discussed on 28 March 2013 in the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee to look for a comprehensive solution in consultation with the relevant parties. on Security and Justice. 2017 The Roman Catholic Church agrees with the government that it will treat any later reports 2013 On 28 March, the Standing Committee on Security and Justice holds a hearing in the seriously and will continue to offer support for victims. House of Representatives on Mr. Deetman’s first monitoring report, of 28 September 2012. Representatives of the church and of victim groups come face to face. After the meeting, 2017 In the autumn, a framework regulation governing the archives relating to victims of sexual agreements are made for regular consultation. The House of Representatives decides to abuse in the Catholic Church is published. monitor progress closely (in response to a motion by MP Ard van der Steur). 2018 In January, the Reporting Centre for Sexual Abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in 2013 The Commission for Help, Recognition and Reparation for violence against minors in the the Netherlands closes. The Victim Support Platform continues to assist victims under the Roman Catholic Church (HEG Commissie) is established with responsibility for arranging auspices of the Reporting Centre for Transgressional Behaviour. Summary Summary Victims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church received recognition For the most part, victims of sexual abuse all parties.’ And one of the chairpersons of the regarding the Catholic Church in our country hearings, Lieke de Rijke-Maas, says: ‘I was not have received recognition and reparation, the the only one who had difficulty absorbing the Board of the Management and Monitoring nature and scale of the abuse in the beginning. Foundation on Sexual Abuse within the Roman The representatives of the Catholic Church also Catholic Church in the Netherlands (hereinafter: struggled with it, although it was evident that Management and Monitoring Foundation or the comment ‘Wir haben es nicht gewusst’ could Foundation) concludes in a report on its activi- not be true. Although I am willing to assume ties during the period 2011-2018. The report that the scale of the abuse and the enormous covers the activities of the Reporting Centre impact it had on the victims was not immediate- 9 Sexual Abuse within the Roman Catholic Church ly apparent to everyone, individuals were trans- in the Netherlands, the Victim Support Platform, ferred because of so-called ‘improper behaviour’ the Complaints Committee and the Compensati- and it was known that there had been criminal on Committee. convictions. ‘Have we met the expectations of the The Board feels that the employees deserve victims?’ In the opinion of the Board, the answer credit for ‘offering the victims the path to the to that question has to be given by the victims. recognition, reparation and help they so fervent- ‘Nevertheless, we dare to say in response to this ly desired’. The final report describes in detail key question: in general, yes. We base that how difficult that path sometimes proved to be. answer on the reactions of victims, particularly There was, particularly in the beginning, insuffi- after the hearing by the Complaints Committee, cient experience in this specific domain. the feedback from groups representing victims and the observations of members of the House of Representatives who attended hearings.’ Deetman Commission The Board finds that this answer to the key question is in itself a tribute to the employees of At the beginning of 2010, a flood of reports the Reporting Centre, some of whom provide of abuse within the church followed publicity in moving testimony of their experiences in the NRC Handelsblad and by the Wereldomroep. The final report. In the final report of the Complaints church’s agency Help & Justice (Hulp & Recht) Committee, for example, the registrar, Sophie was not equipped to handle the volume and was Roos-Bollen, says: ‘Recording so much grief and forced to improvise in order to provide help for misery so clinically on paper was not always easy, victims, so the Conference of Bishops and the but it was our task as Complaints Committee to Conference of Dutch Religious asked the Deet- make the correct decision.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Catholics 'Free to Disagree' Badly Damaged in the Philadelphia, Cardinal John Krol Dances His Way to Earthquake That Shook the New Orleans — Archbishop Philip M
    GOUR1ER-JOURNAL Wednesday, May 18,1983 World, Nation, People... in Brief Focu» •&&».&&*•s on Today's World Lithuanian Priest Convicted Moscow — Father Alfonsas Svarihskas, a Lithuanian priest, was convicted May 6 of "anti-constitutional and Father Juan Ramon de anti-state activity" and sentenced to seven years in jail, the Leon, pastor of Templo Soviet news agency Tass reported. The priest's conviction de Santa Cruz Tlapacoya came after a two-day trial in Vilna, the capital of the Soviet church in Santa Cruz republic of Lithuania. Father Svarinskas, a 58-year-old Tlapacoya, Mexico, sorts pastor, had been jailed since Jan. 26 on suspicion of through rubble after a distributing anti-Soviet material to the foreign press and fireworks explosion de­ preaching against the government. Co-founder of the Catholic Committee for the Defense of the Rights of molished the church and Believers, a clandestine group, the priest was convicted and killed at least 20 parish­ jailed on similar charges in 1947 and 1958. ioners. The town of 12,000 was celebrating an annual festival when sparks from a fireworks Newspaper Praises Reagan display touched off addi­ tional fireworks stored San Salvador, El Salvador — The weekly newspaper of behind the altar. (NC the Archdiocese of San Salvador, Orientation, has praised Photo) President Reagan's policies toward El Salvador and supported U.S. military aid. "Without a doubt this country would be reaching the limit of its admirable resistance had it not been for the military and economic assistance of America," said an editorial in the paper's May 8 edition.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecclesiastical Circumscriptions and Their Relationship with the Diocesan Bishop
    CANON 294 ECCLESIASTICAL CIRCUMSCRIPTIONS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DIOCESAN BISHOP What is the relationship of the faithful in personal ecclesiastical circumscriptions to the local diocesan bishop? OPINION The Apostolic See, in the Annual General Statistical Questionnaire, asks diocesan bishops the number of priests in the ecclesiastical circumscription of the diocese, their country of origin and whether they are diocesan or religious. The fact that the diocesan bishop is answering these questions indicates the close relationship between himself and any personal Ecclesiastical Circumscription. Canons 215 and 216 of the 1917 Code required that ecclesiastical circumscriptions be territorial within a diocese and an apostolic indult was needed, for example, to establish personal parishes for an ethnic group of the faithful. After World War II, Pope Pius XII provided for the pastoral care of refugees and migrants in his apostolic constitution Exsul Familia in 1952. Chaplains for migrants were granted special faculties to facilitate pastoral care without receiving the power of jurisdiction or governance. The Second Vatican Council admitted personal criteria in ecclesiastical organisation. The decree Christus Dominus 11 held that the essential element of a particular Church is personal, being a “portion of the people of God”. Personal factors are crucial to determine the communitarian aspect of the makeup of a community. After Vatican II, the Code of Canon Law needed revision. The Synod of Bishops in 1967 approved the principles to guide the revision of the code. The eighth principle stated: “The principle of territoriality in the exercise of ecclesiastical government is to be revised somewhat, for contemporary apostolic factors seem to recommend personal jurisdictional units.
    [Show full text]
  • Apostolic Blessing Pope Request
    Apostolic Blessing Pope Request Which Judson sustains so certain that Vinny convalescing her Swaziland? Pennate and mettled Caleb affrays tinklingly and skinny-dips his medaka mockingly and totally. Stuck and subscribable Rollins connoting her steeplechasings Judaizes or flutes racially. Mary that you think knee high end with your community. Very original stamped seal from? Many people treasure these certificates as important symbols of sacraments and these special occasions. The Blessing is a prayer with alas we prepare, for ourselves or summer our loved ones, the protection of God. Education is about maintaining this paradox. They will go. You for friday night or apostolic blessing for a dressy shoes on this apostolic blessing pope request tickets several gifts inside. Since it will likely be very hot, we suggest some sundresses for you for your visit! You can also find designer outlet stores in major shopping destinations, too! He then held out the rose and asked the two to receive it. Which luggage will work best for you? If you go to the seaside, pack a colorful bikini. If you feel comfortable flats or apostolic blessing requests for parishes, pope francis blesses a papal audiences at castel gandolfo. Look forward in texas seeing etsy ads, pope after ordering, pope and pope or apostolic blessing pope request is packed and pope in italy. By leading to take off your dream vacation packing as many touristy areas for them! Hi Karen, have you tried using Google Maps? The request is badly formed. Notify me realize this apostolic nunciature, takes two pairs of apostolic blessing request a visitor.
    [Show full text]
  • The Catholic Church in the Czech Republic
    The Catholic Church in the Czech Republic Dear Readers, The publication on the Ro- man Catholic Church which you are holding in your hands may strike you as history that belongs in a museum. How- ever, if you leaf through it and look around our beauti- ful country, you may discover that it belongs to the present as well. Many changes have taken place. The history of the Church in this country is also the history of this nation. And the history of the nation, of the country’s inhabitants, always has been and still is the history of the Church. The Church’s mission is to serve mankind, and we want to fulfil Jesus’s call: “I did not come to be served but to serve.” The beautiful and unique pastoral constitution of Vatican Coun- cil II, the document “Joy and Hope” begins with the words: “The joys and the hopes, the grief and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the grief and anxieties of the followers of Christ.” This is the task that hundreds of thousands of men and women in this country strive to carry out. According to expert statistical estimates, approximately three million Roman Catholics live in our country along with almost twenty thousand of our Eastern broth- ers and sisters in the Greek Catholic Church, with whom we are in full communion. There are an additional million Christians who belong to a variety of other Churches. Ecumenical cooperation, which was strengthened by decades of persecution and bullying of the Church, is flourishing remarkably in this country.
    [Show full text]
  • The Scottish Rite Grand Almoner's Fund
    The Valley of Boston Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry & The Massachusetts Partner-Valleys of Lowell the Merrimack, Salem and Worcester GRAND MASTER’S CLASS Saturday, November 9th, 2019 MOST WORSHIPFUL PAUL F. GLEASON Why Pursue Scottish Rite Masonry? Although there is no more important degree than that of the Master Mason, the additional 29 Scottish Rite degrees serve to enrich a Brother’s comprehension of the philosophy and symbolic teaching he received when he was initiated into Freemasonry. When you choose to further your Masonic experience by becoming a 32° Scottish Rite Mason**, you will expand upon your knowledge of Freemasonry’s fundamental principles. The moral and ethical lessons we learn together, will continuously remind us of our duties to family, country, humanity, nature and the Great Architect of the Universe. You do not have to receive all 29 degrees to become a 32° Mason. However, receiving a minimum of five degrees is required. You must receive the 4° and 32°, along with 3 additional degrees. ** Despite its name (explained later in this brochure), the Scottish Rite welcomes all worthy Master Masons regardless of their ethnic origin. The Origins of the Scottish Rite A vague reference to the name "Scottish Rite" can be found in a manuscript dating back to 1733: ''Lodge #115 meeting at the Devil Tavern near Temple Bar in London was described as a Scott's Masons Lodge." The exact origin of the name, however, still remains a mystery to this day. A plausible explanation might be found in late 17th-century European history. When the British Isles were torn by political and religious conflicts, many Scots from the nobility, particularly from the Stuart dynasty, fled to France to seek King Louis XIV's protection.
    [Show full text]
  • Clergy Discretionary Funds Policy 2020
    Clergy Discretionary Funds Policy 2020 Introduction St. Martha’s has developed guidelines for the benefit of clergy and our congregation. The guidelines are based upon and closely follow the guidelines of the Episcopal Church found in the Manual of Business Practices. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide information and guidance in the structure and use of a class of restricted funds known as clergy discretionary funds. Authority The existence and use of clergy discretionary funds rest on the canonical authority of the Almoner’s Fund described in Title III, Canon 14, Section 2(f), of the Canons of the Episcopal Church: “The Alms and Contributions, not otherwise specifically designated, at the Administration of the Holy Communion on one Sunday in each calendar month, and other offerings for the poor, shall be deposited with the Member of the Clergy in charge of the Parish or Mission or with such Church officer as shall be appointed by him, to be applied by him or under his superintendence, to such pious and charitable uses as shall by him be thought fit. During a vacancy, the Vestry shall appoint a responsible person to serve as Almoner.” The Almoner’s Funds, generally known as clergy discretionary funds, have a long history of customary use in the Episcopal Church. The member of the clergy in charge of a congregation customarily has a special fund made available by the Vestry, the expenditure of which is under the authority of the cleric. Sources St. Martha’s has decided to set aside a budgeted amount for the discretionary fund as a substitute for the traditional source which is typically the loose offering that is given at the Holy Eucharist a minimum of one Sunday a month.
    [Show full text]
  • Abbess-Elect Envisions Great U. S. Benedictine Convent Mullen High to Take Day Pupils Denvircatholic Work Halted on Ten Projects
    Abbess-Elect Envisions Great U. S. Benedictine Convent Mother Augustina Returns to Germany Next Month But Her Heart Will Remain in Colorado A grgantic Benedioine convent, a St. Walburga’s of ser of Eichstaett. That day is the Feast of the Holy Name In 1949 when Mother Augustina visited the German as Abbess will be as custodian and distributor of the famed the West, is the W jo c h o p e envisioned by Mother M. of Mary, a name that Mother Augustina bears as'' a nun. mother-house and conferred with the late Lady Abbess Ben- St. Walburga oil. This oil exudes from the bones of the Augustina Weihermuellcrp^perior of St. Walbutga’s con­ The ceremony will be held in St. Walburga’s parish church edicta, whom she has succeeejed, among the subjects con­ saint, who founded the Benedictine community and lived vent in South Boulder, as she prepares to return to Ger­ and the cloistered nuns of the community will witness it sidered wJs the possibility of transferring the heart of the 710-780. Many remarkable cures have been attributed many to assume her position as, Lady Abbess at the mother- ffom their private choir. order to America if Russia should:overrun Europe! to its use while seeking the intercession o f St. Walburga. house of her community in Eidistaett, Bavaria. That day, just two months hence, will mark the first At the great St. Walburga’s mother-house in Eich­ 'Those who have heard Mother Augustina in one of her Mother Augustina’s departure for Europe is scheduled time that an American citizen ,has returned to Europe to staett, she will be superior of 130 sisters.
    [Show full text]
  • Abbess a Religious Community Under the Direction of an Abbot (For Monks) Or an Abbess (For Nuns). Abbey A
    abbess A religious community under the direction of an abbot (for monks) or an abbess (for nuns). abbey A religious community under the direction of an abbot (for monks) or an abbess (for nuns). abbot A religious community under the direction of an abbot (for monks) or an abbess (for nuns). alternate­support system In church architecture, the use of alternating wall supports in the nave, usually piers and columns or compound piers of alternating form. benedictional A Christian religious book containing bishops’ blessings. Book of Hours A Christian religious book for private devotion containing prayers to be read at specified times of the day. breviary A Christian religious book of selected daily prayers and psalms. canon table A concordance, or matching, of the corresponding passage of the four Gospels as compiled by Eusebius of Caesarea in the fourth century. Caroline minuscule The alphabet that Carolingian scribes perfected, from which our modern alphabet was developed. Carolingian (adj.) Pertaining to the empire of Charlemagne (Latin, Carolus Magnus) and his successors. carpet page In early medieval manuscripts, a decorative page resembling a textile. castellum German, “western entrance structure.” The facade and towers at the western end of a medieval church, principally in Germany. In contemporary documents the westwork is called a castellum (Latin, castle or fortress) or turris (tower). cloison French, “partition.” A cell made of metal wire or a narrow metal strip soldered edge­up to a metal base to hold enamel, semiprecious stones, pieces of colored glass, or glass paste fired to resemble sparkling jewels. cloisonné A decorative metalwork technique employing cloisons; also, decorative brickwork in later Byzantine architecture.
    [Show full text]
  • Contents: Five Years, and Asks That We Study Them Carefully
    Newsletter of the American Association for Netherlandic Studies Number 49 April 1998 the implementation of these initiatives over the next Contents: five years, and asks that we study them carefully. Association News ..........................1 You will find their text reproduced unchanged Dutch Study ...................................3 elsewhere in this newsletter. We owe a word of Conferences & Exhibitions............5 apology to any members who are not totally secure Reviews ..........................................7 reading official phraseology, but this arrived only a Publications of Interest................10 few days before the newsletter was scheduled to go Miscellaneous News ...................13 to press, and there was no time to provide a translation. ASSOCIATION NEWS In a nutshell, the points are these: A word from the AANS president 1. Taalunie fellowships. These are intended for The Nederlandse Taalunie provides generous graduate students, to enable spending a semester or support for Dutch studies in this country, helping year at an American university having a Dutch to subsidize our individual Dutch programs, program. The university is asked to commit to T.A. providing an annual subsidy to the AANS, and support for an equivalent period. making it possible to bring two guest lecturers every 2. Intensive Dutch Summer Session in the U.S. two years to our ICNS. In addition to all this, the This helps support the midwestern CIC initiative Taalunie is eager to provide focused support for the already underway (Minnesota '96 and '97, Michigan stimulation of Dutch studies in this country. In a '98, probably Indiana '99 and Wisconsin '00), as well previous issue we outlined briefly the four as others that may develop.
    [Show full text]
  • August 27, 2017 August 27, 2017
    Pastor Fr. Christopher Liguori Permanent Deacon Fraternus St. Patrick Deacon David Belanger School Principal Mr. Jeffrey Kent 601 Airport Center Drive East · Jacksonville, Florida 32218 (corner of Perdue Rd. & Airport Center Drive East) Church Office - 904/768-2593 · Fax 904/768-2251 · http://www.stpatrickjacksonville.org School Office – 904/768-6323 · Fax 904/768-2144 http://www.stpatrickjacksonville.org Knights of Columbus Miraculous Medal Novena Council 5407 Legion of Mary Tuesday morning after Mass Website: http://kofc5407.org Mary, Mother of God Praesidium "It would be easier for the worl d to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass." Saint Thomas Aquinas WEEK DAY MASS SCHEDULE Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday — 8 a.m. SATURDAY/SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE Saturday vigil-- 5:00 p.m. Sunday — 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. Holy Days — 6:00 p.m. Confessions — 4:00 p.m. Saturday, and before all Masses Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ August 27, 2017 August 27, 2017 From Fr. Liguori, NEW! SAVE THE DATE --Family First Fridays-- We will be starting an event for families on the first Friday of every month from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall, beginning Friday, September 1. Please join us for a potluck meal and meet some other families of our parish! For more information, contact Christy Goodson at [email protected] _________________________________________________________________________________ First Friday Holy Hour of Adoration - 7pm-8 pm This Friday, September 1 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Rosary Quiet time Benediction First Saturday Latin (Tridentine)Mass of Reparation Saturday, September 2 -- 10:00 am As requested by Our Lady of Fatima in her apparitions to the children Knights of Columbus Traveling Image of the Holy Family at St.
    [Show full text]
  • Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania Alms Fund Guidelines
    EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA ALMS FUND GUIDELINES Alms funds contain money designated solely for pious and charitable purposes, primarily aid to the poor and needy of a parish. The money comes from loose offerings and special collections and from gifts made directly to the rector or priest-in-charge. An almoner, typically a member of the clergy or a cleric’s lay designee, administers the funds. These guidelines are meant to help standardize how congregations of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania define and handle alms funds, and to clarify the use of the funds and their accountability requirements. Underlying these guidelines are three basic rules: Alms funds must be audited, with the information confidential but not secret; alms funds are subject to all the applicable regulations of civil law, particularly those of the Internal Revenue Service; and alms funds are not portable: They are the exclusive and permanent property of the parish and cannot leave control of that parish when the rector or priest-on-charge who had administered them leaves that parish. Following these guidelines ensures that a congregation is both serving the poor through an alms fund and properly monitoring the fund’s use. Background The provision in the national canons of the Episcopal Church regarding alms funds lies in Title III, Canon 9.5.b(6), which states: “The Alms and Contributions, not otherwise specifically designated, at the Administration of the Holy Communion on one Sunday in each calendar month, and other offerings for the poor, shall be deposited with the Rector or Priest-in-Charge or with such Church officer as the Rector or Priest-in-Charge shall appoint to be applied to such pious and charitable uses as the Rector or Priest-in-Charge shall determine.
    [Show full text]
  • Statement on Retired Members Of
    ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA The Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio On Retired Members of the US Military The Archdiocese for the Military Services, as a particular Church, exists to support the spiritual and sacramental needs of the members of the armed forces and their families, the patients in the VA facilities, and US citizens working for the Federal Government overseas. All the faithful are welcomed. However, in order to serve well and in accordance with Church Law, it is useful to clarify the position of retired military members. While on active duty, Catholics have the option of joining either the Catholic Faith Community of the base chapel or that of the local civilian parish, regardless of their residence (on or off base). However, the choice is specific and should be clearly established upon arrival at each new duty station. They do remain, however, subjects of the military ordinariate. (The military archdiocese is legally competent under Canon Law to provide the following actions for its subjects: granting of permission for a mixed marriage, granting a dispensation from disparity of cult, granting a dispensation from canonical form, processing a declaration of nullity – either as a formal case or as a documentary case [lack of form]. With regards to these same persons, the military archbishop can grant his priest-chaplains the faculty to witness marriages validly and to confer Confirmation for an extraordinary reason 0 but only for the proper subjects of the military archdiocese.) After completion of twenty years of faithful service in the US military, retiring members and their dependents may continue to enjoy many of the benefits and services available to active duty members.
    [Show full text]