by Rigorous Intuition » Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:36 am
A lot of what I can see on its <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.united-catholic-church.org/">website</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> is admirable:<br><br>Though incorporated as a church, we are not just a denomination; we are a post-denominational fellowship. Our churches practice the inclusivity of Jesus toward the outcast and marginalized -- including women, homosexuals, indigenous peoples, minorities, heretics, sinners, and the poor. We even accept rich folks.... Like the early church, we ordain without regard to gender or marital status. Pedophiles and promiscuous or abusive clergy NOT tolerated, regardless of sexual orientation (no double standard).<br><br><br><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Policy on Pedophiles and Other Sexual Exploiters </strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> [found under "What we believe" link]<br><br>We recruit our clergy, both men and women, from those who have developed a mature, healthy understanding of sexuality, especially their own. This enlarges the pool of potential priests, bishops, and deacons. We welcome into the ranks of our clergy those who are married or who plan to marry. We welcome those of either sexual orientation who are comfortable with who they are and are willing to enter into lifelong monogamous relationships with another human being. We also welcome those who feel a real call to a celibate life -- not as an escape from reality, nor as the necessary price for pursuing their ministry, but as a true call from God.<br><br>We reject the notion that homosexuals are more prone to pedophilia than heterosexuals. The truth is that pedophilia is most likely to appear among those, of either sexual orientation, whose sexuality has been repressed. We work hard to exclude such from our clergy. We try hard to avoid closeted gays. An essential part of this is assuring gay candidates for ordination that the closet is both unnecessary and counterproductive. We will not only accept them for who they are, but will accept their committed monogamous relationship as well. What we reject, from either homosexual or heterosexual, is promiscuity, predatory sexual advances, and pedophilia.<br><br>We are unlikely to attract pedophiles, because we avoid the ranks of the sexually immature from which they tend to spring. But we do more than that. We actively screen candidates for ordination to make sure they have a healthy attitude toward sex, whatever their gender or sexual orientation. <br><br>...<br><br>B: Reporting<br><br>Allegations of sexual abuse of a minor will be reported promptly to the appropriate law enforcement authorities, whether or not this is mandated by state law. Each diocese or local church will provide support for victims in contacting law enforcement authorities and ensure anonymity for the victim when they do come forward.<br><br>C: Removal<br><br>Whenever an allegation of sexual abuse is made, the clergy accused should be removed immediately from active ministry pending the outcome of the investigation.<br><br>Whenever a member of the clergy is found guilty of a felony or pleads guilty to a misdemeanor in a case where sufficient evidence existed to prove a felony, he should be removed permanently from active ministry, be divested of authority to perform priestly duties, and be subject to a canonical process for returning him to the lay state.<br><br> <p></p><i></i>
