A sacred relationship exists between the Catholic Church and her members, whether they are children or adults. Child abuse of any kind, including child sexual abuse, is a matter of gravest concern. Knowledge of such abuse calls for a particular response. The safety of the child and the community is assured, and healing and reconciliation can occur. 
Our Province recognizes that sexual misconduct by members of religious institutes constitutes a severe violation of trust and can cause confusion and devastating pain for the abused, their loved ones, and the Church. 
That is why we are committed to learning how to maintain healthy pastoral relations with the people we serve. How to recognize and prevent sexual abuse. How to reach out and provide assistance to the victims of abuse. How to protect ourselves from false allegations and preserve the good name of our religious community. 
In June 2002, the Catholic Bishops of the United States confronted the scandal of sexual abuse in the Church by approving the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People," often referred to as the Dallas Charter.
CMSM, the Conference of Major Superiors of Men in the United States, strove to develop a means of promoting child safety that was consistent with the charisms of religious life. Through broad consultation among CMSM members and professional experts, and working with Praesidium Religious Services, Inc., a nationally-recognized leader in helping Church and other child-serving organizations promote the safety of children, CMSM developed a set of 20 standards of accreditation dealing with prevention of the sexual abuse of minors, appropriate outreach and investigation when such abuse was alleged or had occurred, and standards for supervision of those responsible for sexual abuse of children.
Approved by the CMSM National Board, as part of the CMSM Instruments of Hope and Healing Program, the 20 Standards for Accreditation became the foundation for the Praesidium accreditation audit process, which certified a religious institute's implementation of the standards. The accreditation was not intended to be permanent; the standards would be revised and accreditation undertaken again in the years to come.
Our community has been involved from the beginning in developing the CMSM Instruments of Hope and Healing Standards for Accreditation. We can be proud of the efforts we have made to prevent minors' sexual abuse, respond pastorally and fairly to allegations of sexual abuse of children, and supervise and support our brothers for whom this has been an issue. The Missionaries of the Holy Spirit in the United States remains committed to preventing the sexual abuse of minors.
Consistent with the directives of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Instruments of Hope and Healing. Safeguarding Children and Young People, our Policies for Maintaining Ethical Ministry with Minors and Adults apply to our relationships with minors and adults we encounter in our pastoral ministry and in other settings.  
The Missionaries of the Holy Spirit of the Christ the Priest Province will diligently seek to respond first of all to the complainant and the problems caused by this unethical conduct. In all circumstances, we hope that compassion, healing, and reconciliation may dwell among us. 
 

Victim Assistance Coordinator:
Phone number (805) 253-2847
Email: msps.vac@gmail.com

Praesidium, Inc. performed an extensive recertification process of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit - Christ the Priest Province that included interviews with its vowed members and staff of the ministries in which we are involved. During the audit period from September 21, 2011, through November 10, 2014, Praesidium also reviewed the policies, procedures, and documentation of the implementation and maintenance of the Accreditation Standards.

Based on its review, Praesidium found Missionaries of the Holy Spirit - Christ the Priest Province “in full compliance” with all 20 of the organization’s Accreditation Standards. Each Standard includes a number of requirements that must be met for accreditation, as well as detailed Clarifications of these Requirements. 

A Prayer for Healing Survivors of Abuse

God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong, always present, always just: You gave your only Son to save us by his blood on the cross.

Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace, join to your own suffering the pain of all who have been hurt in body, mind, and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them. Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters who have been gravely harmed, and the cries of those who love them. Soothe their restless hearts with hope, steady their shaken spirits with faith. Grant them justice for their cause, enlightened by your truth.

Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts, heal your people’s wounds and transform brokenness into wholeness. Grant us the courage and wisdom, humility and grace, to act with justice. Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labors. Grant that all harmed by abuse may find peace in justice.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Copyright © 2014, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.