The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Montreal, Christian Lépine, has ordered that beginning sometime this year, priests and other pastoral workers in Montreal parishes will no longer be permitted to spend time alone with children.
The decree comes in the wake of continued allegations of sexual and psychological abuse of children within the Catholic Church, with church officials, including Pope Francis, having called for a more responsive and comprehensive effort to prevent such abuses.
“Our diocesan Church, its Parishes, and its Missions have an obligation to ensure the safety and integrity of the people to whom we bring the Gospel,” said Lépine in a decree dated June 7, but only made public yesterday.
Montreal priests no longer allowed to be alone with children | Globalnews.ca
The decree comes in the wake of continued allegations of sexual and psychological abuse of children within the Catholic Church, with church officials, including Pope Francis, having called for a more responsive and comprehensive effort to prevent such abuses.
“Our diocesan Church, its Parishes, and its Missions have an obligation to ensure the safety and integrity of the people to whom we bring the Gospel,” said Lépine in a decree dated June 7, but only made public yesterday.
Montreal priests no longer allowed to be alone with children | Globalnews.ca
