Special to the HERALD
(From the issue of 6/24/04)

The Youth Apostles Institute promulgated its new policy addressing physical and sexual abuse in conjunction with the community’s June elections.

"Healthy and Holy: Youth Apostles’ Policy on the Prevention of Ministerial Misconduct" is the fruit of nearly two years of discussion, drafting and revision. The document draws heavily on the U.S. Catholic bishops’ model policy and the working policies of the Diocese of Arlington and other jurisdictions.

In addressing a problem confronting the Catholic Church throughout the United States and around the world, the community clarified its special sense of responsibility for the formation and conduct of its members.

"We wanted to express our strong commitment to forming our members in the virtue of chastity and training them to build healthy, Christ-centered relationships with young people," said Father David Sharland, one of the policy’s authors.

The policy also seeks to apply Youth Apostles’ unique, relational charism as a community of clerical and lay youth ministers to a crisis that has angered Catholics young and old and alienated many from their Church.

"It is Youth Apostles’ goal to bring Christ to young people and to bring young people to Christ in and through the gifts of the Catholic Church and the community’s ministry in that church. Indeed, the community desires to help young people live Christ-like lives," the policy’s authors wrote. "This can only be done by recognizing and respecting the inherent dignity of young people, offering them genuine Christ-like care that is free from self-interest, and nurturing their souls with the treasures of the Catholic faith."

During the election workshop, full members participated in the first segment of a two-part training session on the policy, their rights and their obligations to report abuse. The training offers guidelines for setting healthy boundaries, showing appropriate support and affection for young people and avoiding inappropriate behavior and relationships with minors. It will be repeated and updated each year as a fundamental component of the community’s formation programs.

The policy calls for the creation of a three-member Youth Apostles Review Board — composed of three lay Catholics who are not members of the community — and of a new Director of Child Protection (DCP) responsible for maintaining and enforcing the policy, conducting training sessions and overseeing the screening of current and prospective Youth Apostles.

YA full member John Campbell, who recently marked his 15th anniversary as youth minister at St. Bernadette Parish in Springfield, will serve as the community’s Director of Child Protection.

The board’s role will be to review the policy annually in consultation with the DCP and advise the community’s general director in the event of an allegation. When an allegation warrants civil or ecclesiastical investigations, the Board will make recommendations regarding the accused member’s suitability for ministry and membership in the community upon their conclusion.