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November 14, 2003 Bob Bozek: 301-588-4030

Leaders of Religious Orders Launch Hope and Healing Program

Close to 200 priests and brothers who head religious orders in the United States are participating this fall in the first steps of what the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) calls the “Instruments of Hope and Healing” program. The leaders are undertaking a stringent plan to ensure that their members and their organizations are safeguarding children and young people.

CMSM Executive Director Father Ted Keating said “It is critical at this juncture that we not only react to the crisis that has faced the priesthood in this country, but that we prevent any further harm to children and young people.” About one-third of the priests in the United States belong to religious orders.

CMSM is coordinating the program to implement the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and the Norms approved by the Vatican specifically as they apply to religious priests and brothers.

CMSM has engaged Christian Brothers Risk Management Services to develop training sessions and materials for the religious institutes and has formed an Advisory Council representative of its membership to set and oversee standards for orders and their members.

The goal of the Hope and Healing program is to provide training for religious institutes and their members regarding behavior in relation to and reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations, and to provide resources for prevention and response. The Advisory Council is drafting standards to develop a system of accreditation that is based on national standards of child-serving organizations. They will also provide a set of model policies that the orders can adapt.

The 11-member Advisory Council includes those who work in parishes, schools, and health care institutions, as well as in missions around the world. They represent both large and small orders and the active and contemplative traditions. Council members are: Redemptorist Father Tom Picton, Christian Brother Joe Gattone, Edmunite Father Richard Mihalyk, Jesuit Father David Haschka, Hospitaller Brother Stephen De La Rosa, Christian Brother Dan Casey, Paulist Father John Duffy, Benedictine Father John Klassen, Trappist Father Robert Barnes, Franciscan Father John Doctor, and Divine Word Missionary father Tom Krosnicki. Franciscan (Conventual) Father Canice Connors is a consultant to the group.

The training is beginning at regional meetings held in six areas of the country this fall and at continuing training in spring 2004. In addition, two national workshops for leaders held in January and February 2004 will offer presentations on accreditation standards, supervision of at-risk memberts, and development and use of review boards. A follow-up session is scheduled for the day prior to the next national meeting of the leaders in August 2004.

The Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) supports and offers resources for U.S. leaders of Catholic men's religious institutes. CMSM promotes dialogue and collaboration on issues of religious life as well as peace and justice issues with major groups in church and society. There are more than 20,000 religious priests and brothers in the United States.

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