In
a letter to Clergy, Readers, PCC Secretaries, Lay Chairs
of Deanery Synods, Chairs of Diocesan Committees and Diocesan
Oficers, Bishop Clive wrote:
"Bishop
Richard and I write to commend to you the new diocesan Policy
on the Mistreatment and Abuse of Adults by Adults, commended
by Bishop Richard and Bishop Clive. We ask you to give it
your serious consideration. It was developed in response
to the report of a national working party and similar policies
are being adopted throughout the Church of England. The
policy was launched at the Diocesan Synod on 7th June, where
the Synod considered the implications of the policy for
it's own working. Every area of church life and ministerial
practice will benefit from the scrutiny of such a policy.
The
mistreatment and abuse of adults by adults is clearly an
important and sensitive issue. It can and does affect all
of us. In order to help us consider these matters a small
working group has prepared, on behalf of the Diocese, not
only the policy
document but also a definition
of abuse, a code
of practice with national guidelines and some
questions
designed to enable appropriate discussion... Please read
them.
It
is our hope that within the next twelve months all the material
will become part of the consciousness of the clergy and
the laity of the Diocese. In particular we would ask that
all ministry teams, PCCs and Diocesan Committees take time
to consider the policy, definition and code of practice,
using the discussion starters to help them. The Bishop's
Staff are making this a priority in relation to our own
business, and we shall be monitoring it's progress in the
diocese.
The
members of the working group, to whom we are very grateful
are:
They
are happy to be consulted in relation to this process, and
to act as a resource so that the policy becomes part of
the life of the life of the Diocese, over the next twelve
months. Please seek their advice.
The
aim is to promote good practice in our dealings with one
another, so that we may work together to prevent abuse and
mistreatment and to build relationships appropriate to those
who are members of the Body of Christ.
With
thanks for our partnership in the Gospel."
Click
here to download a PDF version of the policy document
Click
on the links below for more information. |
