A letter from our Superior General to friends, benefactors and interested visitors regarding the child sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church
Dear Maryknoll friend,
The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers are horrified by the harm and pain inflicted upon children and vulnerable adults on the part of priests, religious and other Church workers who betrayed their trust and sexually assaulted or abused them.
We are also appalled by the inexcusable response on the part of a number of bishops here and around the world that caused even more pain and suffering for victims. We call upon our Church and the members of our own Maryknoll Society to do everything possible to end this affliction.
A significant portion of our mission work involves services for children and vulnerable adults. Maryknoll is committed to provide a safe environment for every person who comes in contact with our priests, Brothers and employees. We conduct thorough background checks on all vocations to the Society. We do everything possible to respond promptly to allegations of abuse and to treat victims with respect, dignity and compassion. We have implemented a policy of zero tolerance that includes permanent removal from ministry of those named in a credible allegation of abuse. We offer to provide a therapeutic and pastoral response to all victims who present credible claims. We strive for complete transparency in settling any matters that might involve a member of Maryknoll.
As priests and Brothers who have answered God’s calling to serve the poor and marginalized of the world, our lives have been profoundly affected by this crisis in our Church. I believe that the present crisis is a call to all of us to do everything possible to protect children and vulnerable adults: in our Church, in our schools, in our communities, and anywhere else that they might be vulnerable to an act that violates them in any way.
Maryknollers strive to support victims of sexual abuse and their families whom we might encounter in our mission work. We are making a concerted effort to prevent such heinous acts from ever happening again.
To that end, in 1992 the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers constituted a Review Board of local professionals to assist us in determining the credibility of any allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult. At the same time, we began to specify policies and procedures for the reporting of any incident of sexual misconduct. In our ongoing efforts we have adopted and implemented the Standards for Accreditation for Praesidium®, Inc. (download PDF) through the Conference for Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) to “…rid the Church of the scourge of the sexual abuse of minors and open pathways of reconciliation and healing for those who were abused.” (Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Presidents of the Episcopal Conferences and Superiors of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life Concerning the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, February 2, 2015). All allegations of the sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult are referred to Maryknoll’s Review Board to determine the credibility of such allegations.
I encourage you to learn more about Maryknoll’s compliance with the Standards for Accreditation of Praesidium®, Inc. (see our FAQs). Since 2007, we have received Praesidium’s accreditation for promoting the highest standards of safety for children and vulnerable adults within our ministries.
In closing, there is nothing that can truly assuage the pain, anger, and lifelong damage that sexual abuse has caused. But, I do want to assure you that the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers are taking this tragedy very seriously and we are making every effort to bring about hope and healing. We are determined to ensure that these crimes never happen again, and to reach out with compassion to the victims.
I offer my prayers, and the prayers of our missioners around the world, in the hopes that the God who binds up the wounds of the brokenhearted will heal each and every victim, their families and all the faithful who are suffering because of these crimes. May the Lord richly bless you through His Son, Jesus Christ, and “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Peace be with you.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Lance P. Nadeau, M.M.
Superior General
Maryknoll welcomes any questions or comments you may have – email us.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a deeper explanation of what Praesidium is and its strict standards by which Maryknoll abides, explore the FAQs below:
The narratives herein by no means represent every Praesidium standard, but are meant to be a general overview.
Praesidium®, Inc. is a risk management company that was contracted by the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) to put into operation and then audit The Dallas Charter and its “Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons”. It entails the stringent implementation of standards and regulations for the protection of children.
Praesidium requires that Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, and all other religious institutions under their umbrella, adhere to written standards of child protection.
Some of the more important points include:
• The backgrounds of candidates for admission to Maryknoll are carefully screened, including intensive background checks;
• All Society Members and Candidates are required to attend annual training programs in child protection;
• All Society Members are trained as Mandated Reporters of child abuse and neglect;
• Each Member of the Society is under the supervision of his Superior, and undergoes an annual review;
• Maryknoll has detailed policies in addressing reports of abuse toward children and vulnerable people;
• Maryknoll thoroughly investigates all allegations and complaints of abuse, responding in as timely a manner as possible;
• Allegation investigations are referred to Maryknoll’s Review Board, a committee comprised of community-based professionals, to determine the credibility of an allegation;
• Society Members with a credible allegation of child abuse or abuse of a vulnerable person are permanently removed from ministry and placed under supervision.