The Reformed Episcopal Church with her constituent dioceses 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 is nowhere truer than when caring for our children, youth, and adults.
Current statistics regarding child abuse are alarming. One in every three to four girls and one in every six to eight boys are sexually abused before age eighteen. Physical and emotional abuses continue to be serious problems in our society. The effects of such abuse can damage children at the core of who they are, and often follow them into adulthood. Abused children are at risk. They often become adults who suffer from low self-esteem, who are unable to form and keep healthy relationships, and who struggle to maintain healthy boundaries. As the Church, we declare that we will work together to see that the proper love and care are extended to the children entrusted to us.
Jesus teaches explicitly that children are very important in Kingdom terms, and that to cause one to sin has the gravest of consequences. Caring for our children and youth is a sacred trust.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:1-6 ESV)
Mark, in his Gospel account, adds the dimension of Jesus taking the children in his arms and blessing them (Mark 10:16).
As Christian adults we are called to establish a secure environment where the perfect love of God works to cast out all fear (1 John 4:18) and the nurture and love of God are made known to all, and in particular to our children and youth. In this way we can fulfill the biblical mandate to train up our children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6).
In addition to protection of children and youth, the Reformed Episcopal Church is committed to honoring the image of God in adults as well. Laboring to treat others, regardless of age, with due respect and honor.
The purpose of these documents are to give instruction to the clergy and Deaconesses, laity, and churches of the varied dioceses within the Reformed Episcopal Church that will inform our decisions and methods with regard to safeguarding the children, youth, and all adults, in particular all those with special needs, who are entrusted to us and instruct us, providing at least the minimum standards of care and vigilance.
May God be glorified in all we do.
The Most Rev. Dr. Ray R. Sutton
Presiding Bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church
Bishop Ordinary of the REC Diocese of Mid-America
The following policy is adopted from the Anglican Church in North America and supplements the Diocesan Child Protection Policy in providing an Adult Protection Policy until such time as the Diocese approves its own.