Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons

Oct 13, 2026

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Guidelines issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops establish essential diocesan/eparchial policies for responding promptly to allegations of sexual abuse of minors by priests, deacons, or other church personnel. The preamble explains the 2002 bishops’ commitment to openness, privacy, and pastoral care, including cooperation with parents, civil authorities, educators, and community organizations. The document defines sexual abuse in line with Church obligations and requires written local policies, later evaluation after approval.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Preamble

Norms

GEOHGETOWN UNIVEHSllY LAW LIBRARY United States Conference of Catholic Bishops3211 FOURTH STREETNE·WASHINGTON DC 20017-1194·202-541-3100·FAX 202-541-3166 # Essential Norms for Diocesan/EparchialPolicies Dealing with Allegationsof Sexual Abuse of Minorsby Priests or Deacons Comparative Text June 14,2002-October 29,2002 June Norms Revised Norms ## Preamble Preamble On June 14,2002,the United StatesConference of Catholic Bishopsapproved a Charter for the Protectionof Children and Young People.Thecharter addresses the Church'scommitment to deal appropriately andeffectively with cases of sexual abuseof mnors by priests,deacons,and otherchurch personnel (i.e.,employees andvolunteers).The bishops of the UnitedStates have promised to reach out tothose who have been sexually abusedas minors by anyone serving theChurch in ministry,employment,or avolunteer position,whether the sexualabuse was recent or occurred manyyears ago.They stated that they wouldbe as open as possible with the peoplein parishes and communities aboutinstances of sexual abuse of minors,with respect always for the privacy andthe reputation of the individualsinvolved.They have committedthemselves to the pastoral and spiritualcare and emotional well-being of thosewho have been sexually abused and of On June 14,2002,the United StatesConference of Catholic Bishopsapproved a Charter for the Protectionof Children and Young People.Thecharter addresses the Church'scommitment to deal appropriately andeffectively with cases of sexual abuseof minors by priests,deacons,and otherchurch personnel(i.e.,employees andvolunteers).The bishops of the UnitedStates have promised to reach out tothose who have been sexually abused asminors by anyone serving the Church inministry,employment,or a volunteerposition,whether the sexual abuse wasrecent or occurred many years ago.They stated that they would be as openas possible with the people in parishesand communities about instances ofsexual abuse of mnors,with respectalways for the privacy and thereputation of the individuals involved.They have committed themselves to thepastoral and spiritual care and emotional well-being of those who havebeen sexually abused and of their families. In addition,the bishops will work withparents,civil authorities,educators,andvarious organizations in the communityto make and maintain the safestenvironment for minors.In the sameway,the bishops have pledged toevaluate the background of seminaryapplicants as well as all churchpersonnel,who have responsibility forthe care and supervision of children andyoung people. Therefore,to ensure that each diocese/eparchy in the United States ofAmerica willhave procedures in placeto respond promptly to all allegations ofsexual abuse of minors,the UnitedStates Conference of Catholic Bishopsdecrees these norms for diocesan/eparchial policies dealing withallegations of sexual abuse of minors bypriests,deacons,or other churchpersonnel [Preamble for June Norms ends here-following is the definition of sexualabuse according to the Charter:] Cf.c.1395,§2.Notice that a sexualoffense violative of §2 need not be acomplete act of intercourse,nor shouldthe term necessarily be equated with thedefinitions of sexual abuse or othercrimes in civil law."Sexual abuse[includes]contacts or interactionsbetween a child and an adult when thechild is being used as an object ofsexual gratification for the adult.Achild is abused whether or not thisactivity involves expicit force,whetheror not it involves genital or physical their families. In addition,the bishops will work withparents,civil authorities,educators,andvarious organizations in the communityto make and maintain the safestenvironment for minors.In the sameway,the bishops have pledged toevaluate the background of seminaryapplicants as well as all churchpersonnel who have responsibility forthe care and supervision of children andyoung people. Therefore,to ensure that each diocese/eparchy in the United

FAQs

What is the purpose of the essential norms for diocesan/eparchial policies?

They are intended to ensure that each diocese/eparchy in the United States has procedures in place to respond promptly to allegations of sexual abuse of minors by priests, deacons, or other church personnel.

Who are the bishops committed to reaching out to under the charter referenced in the preamble?

The preamble states that the bishops promised to reach out to people who have been sexually abused as minors by anyone serving the Church in ministry, employment, or a volunteer position.

How do the norms describe sexual abuse of a minor?

Sexual abuse includes sexual molestation, sexual exploitation, and other behavior in which an adult uses a minor as an object of sexual gratification, without requiring a complete act of intercourse or necessarily matching civil-law definitions.

Oct 13, 2026

Upload by James