Safeguarding

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This Document Pertains to all Intergal Components of the United Episcopal Catholic Communion

Promoting a Safer Church

 The United Episcopal Catholic Communions Safeguarding Policy for Children, Young People and Adults

 Within this document these terms are treated as follows:

•  Children: New born up to 13 years of age
• Young Adults: 14-17 years of age
• Adults: 18 years of age or older

 This document covers the Safeguarding Policy for the United Episcopal Catholic Communion, The Anglican Protestant Church (Ordinariate) and all direct affiliates of these organizations.

 It is herby declared that as an organization we decry any form of abuse of any individual not limited to; children, young adults, adults, at risk adults. This includes but not limited to those of any race, creed, color, national origin, sexual preference or persuasion.

 We define abuse in a broad sense not limited to; verbal abuse, slander, verbal harassment, unwanted touching, physical contact to harm, sexual innuendos, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, exploitation or neglect of those with physical or mental disabilities or illness, old age, fragility or distress.

 This document dictates the following commitments:

 Promote a safe environment

• Promote a safe culture
• Evaluate on a regular basis those who will interface with children or the impaired
• Care pastorally for victims
• Care pastorally for those directly or indirectly affected
• Respond to those who may pose a threat

 Let it here be known that this organization provides credibility, credentials and training to fulfill the requirements of the faith, those members of this organization are not employees, real or imagined. We act in the capacity of a ‘sanctioning body’ and said members operate their own religious organization with no country, state or ‘secular’ legal ties to the parent organization. These members are fully responsible for their own actions depending on the legal registration of their organization is the country, state, region of principality of said registration. That not withstanding, this organization will protect against any degradation of credibility against this entity by said member, and will diligently and rapidly assist the resolutions necessary for any infractions.

Any infraction will result in immediate removal of credentials and where required, an immediate request to investigate by appropriate officials.

 We, the members of the United Episcopal Catholic Communion, while not employees of the organization, rather bound only by canons and credentialing, do declare that Safeguarding is a priority that we must embrace. This is dictated not only by the laws of the secular world, but directly ties to the ethics of the church universal based on biblical writ.

 Safeguarding is a action taken by an individual, individuals or organizations in good faith to protect those from an unsafe individual or culture.

 The Church will take appropriate steps to maintain a safe environment for all and to practice fully and positively Christ's Ministry towards children, young people and adults; to respond sensitively and compassionately to their needs in order to help keep them safe from harm.

 The foundation of the Safeguarding Policy is based on Gospel Scripture; All are welcome into the solace of the church, with regard for those who are most vulnerable, will be treated with all due dignity and respect, and lastly that all those onto whom responsibility falls, are truly trustworthy.

 It is the duty of each independent member to take responsibility and recognize the personal dignity and rights of every person spelled out in each countries Human Rights Laws and that set of standards set down by the United Nations Convention 1989. While each independent member has this responsibility based on their own institutions legal operations, this organization holds the right to oversee the process to protect our reputation and credibility.

 Principles:

 Ensure each member understands their relationship to this organization is not a legal one, as in a business entity. This organization is a credentialing entity. Members operate autonomously, and must understand their own ethical, moral and legal risks

• Oversee the risk
• Transparency based on observations, vigilance
• Accountability
• Welfare of the most vulnerable
• Promote integrity, respect and above all listening skills

 Safeguarding Practices:

 To the best of our abilities this organization will dictate that the independent members, not legally bound to this organization, bound only by faith and credibility, will accept and respect our Safeguarding stance and implement such as their own

• Each independent must make a commitment of their own to the Safeguarding of the most vulnerable
• Each independent must declare its own line of accountability
• Each independent must declare reporting procedures concerning issues or allegations
• Clear roles for church officers. This ONLY applies to the United Episcopal Catholic Communion and our State Registered integral components. Each independent must declare their own roles for their institution
• Make arrangements for communications to contact an independent individual or official with issues or allegations

Recruitment:

 The United Episcopal Catholic Communion and its integral components does not recruit employees, real or imagined. Our association with members is purely voluntary, based only on credentialing and credibility and setting simple ‘voluntary’ operational rules for canons, rubrics and liturgies. Each member is a standalone church, with no financial or legal obligation to this organization.

• Each member is responsible for their individual practice, or their own organization, depending on the situation
• The above not withstanding, this organization will to the best of its ability vet individuals desiring our credentialing. Any breach of faith on the part of said member or members will be turned over to authorities in a most expedient fashion

 Response:

 This organization, having only three members of its own, will monitor ourselves at the highest level, and respond according to any concerns related to our organization

• For the independent member; Anyone who brings any Safeguarding suspicion, concern, knowledge or allegation of current or non-current abuse to the notice of the Church will be responded to respectfully and in a timely manner, in line with statutory child and adult Safeguarding procedures
• If in the fullness of time an independent member has an infraction that is not reported, we take it upon this organization to do so with no recourse

 Caring Pastorally:

 This organization will, to the best of our limited resources, strive to provide pastoral support to those that may have faced any abuse

• It is the expectation that the independent member will provide the same pastoral service
• It is the policy that this organization, not financially or legally bound by employment or business rules to an independent member, does desire the independent to request pastoral help if required. This organization will, if need be, intervene if the independent does not supply the requires solace of the church
• This organization, while not operating as an employer, and has no officinal or legal rights over the independent member, reserves the right of pastoral care to an individuals who may present a potential risk. Within the context of our faith based on the Gospel, we must help those who may not help themselves; abuser or abused

 Action:

 The officers of this organization shall be presented with this Safeguarding document

• The independent members, or groups of members, while we have no legal authority to mandate it, will also receive this Safeguarding document. This is our declaration that they are responsible for their own operation, yet they will not unduly harm directly or indirectly the reputation of this organization

 Emergency Phone Numbers:

 All members are responsible for the proper posting of emergency phone numbers. Only two will be listed in this document:

• • United States: 911
  • United Kingdom: 999

Disclaimer:

The United Episcopal Catholic Communion, or its integral parts registered in the State of Missouri, do not operate on a business model; we do not have paid clergy or staff of any type, real or imagined. All members of this organization volunteers of free will.

This organization operates as a sanctioning body. We have no legal authority, real or imagined, over the independent member, member groups, churches, seminaries or any other religious entity that may wish to follow our standards of credibility, ethics, Apostolic Succession and operational rubrics. The precedence is set down by similar operations of the Regional or National Accreditation Agencies of Universities. The accrediting association has no legal responsibility for the end actions of the university or its staff. The agencies only set down ‘good faith rules’ that the universities enter into ‘voluntarily’.