Guidelines of the Shalom Catholic Community regarding the Protection of Minors and vulnerable people

Introduction

1. The Shalom Catholic Community is a private association of the faithful by Canon Law. Its Charism was born from an experience with the Risen One who passed through the Cross and communicates his Peace to the world (cf. Jo 20:19-29). The foundations of the Charism are contemplation, unity and evangelization. Contemplation generates a peaceful and compassionate heart, satisfied by God and open to mankind. It is from this reconciliation that the Community feels called to reflect the Unity of the Communion of Love of the Trinity. This life of contemplation and unity is the true lever of our evangelization.

2. All the life and action of the Shalom Community, all its community life and apostolic impetus are fruits of God’s grace manifested in the Charism received from His hands. Recognizing the primacy of this grace, to fully correspond to this gift, the Community feels called to beget and form a people of disciples and minister of Christ, true witnesses and minister of His Peace to the world. In its commitment to the evangelization, it promotes activities among the youth, families, children, and the poor in different areas of action in the world of communication, art, work, knowledge, and culture¹.

3. Born in the midst of the youth, the community nurtures for them a special love and dedication. Without overlooking the other dimensions of the apostolate, the Community is called to keep a special attention to the welcoming and to the apostolate of the youth².

4. In the light of the inspiration of its Charism and a consolidated missionary experience over the years, the Shalom Community has developed guidelines for activities dedicated to young people, adolescents, children, and vulnerable persons, with the intention of offering a useful tool and a clear reference for the members of the Community, for the facilitators, and for the young participants.

5. The absolute respect for the dignity of minors³ and their protection against any possible physical and psychological disturbance are the fundamental principles of these guidelines, elaborated by the Shalom Catholic Community with the advice of experts in the protection of minors in the educational, psychological, legal, and missionary fields.

6. The mentality for the foundation of the forms of protection of minors expressed in this document, as well as the approach and the processes that come from it, intend to show how the Community in full communion with the Catholic Church, is concretely committed in making safe for children, adolescents and youth the spaces where it operates. Therefore, it is important that everything that is in this document be taken into consideration by each member of the Community, particularly, by its authorities.
Title I- Competent Authorities for the protection of minors in the Shalom Catholic Community

7. In order to accompany and guarantee the best attention and performance of the process of formation, prevention and investigation of reports received, the Community creates a Permanent Commision for the protection of Minors. The Commission is headquartered in the Community General Diaconia (in Fortaleza, Brazil) and will be made of 7 members. The members of the Commission and its president are elected by the General Council of the Shalom Community.

8. This Commission will be composed of individuals capable of contributing to the protection of minors, each in their respective field of expertise. This body will have the task of assisting the Community authorities, maintaining due autonomy in issuing its opinions, in order to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the decisions that will be made.

9. For each pastoral work involving minors in the Community, the Commission will provide specific guidelines for each activity through the development of appropriate manuals. These manuals will be developed in dialogue with the authorities responsible for the respective activity and in light of what is established by this protocol. The Commission will advise the authorities on the most suitable way to ensure the safety of pastoral environments and to adequately monitor the concrete implementation of the content of this protocol.

10. The president of the Commission will collaborate directly with the Missionary Assistant⁴ to define the “acts of governance”, as well as the necessary initiatives to prevent and to investigate reported cases. The commission will collaborate with the Community General Formator⁵ in the preparation of the processes and formative programs mentioned in this document in relation to the protection of minors.

11. In each diocese, the Local Responsible⁶ of the Community is the first reference in the application of the formative processes related to the protection of minors and of the protocols about prevention of abuse against minors at the local level. The Local Responsible will preside over the process of investigation of the facts in the cases of possible abuse reported to the Community at the local level.

Title II - Path of preventive formation to the members of the Community

12. The formation of the Community has the purpose to form disciples and missionaries of the Risen one who passed through the Cross. Thus, the Community forms its members to live a life of intense relationship with God and offering to others. The prayerful reading of the Word of God, the life of personal and communal prayer, the sacramental life and the offering of one’s life lead each member and the entire community to a posture of going out of oneself to find God, the community brethren and the wounded man of this time that needs the announcement of the Gospel and of witness of God’s mercy

13. With this mindset, the Community commits to forming all its members to be vigilant in practicing the virtues of prudence and chastity. As a preventive measure of protection against possible abuses, the members and authorities of the Community will be prepared to identify situations that require increased vigilance and a healthy sense of modesty. Each stage of the formative process should assess the suitability of the candidate or member to work with minors.

Chapter I - Process of Vocational Discernment

14. Starting from the vocational group, candidates for entry into the Community's postulancy undergo a formative journey to live their human sexuality well. This formation builds upon what has already been discussed on this topic within the prayer group.

15. Each participant in the vocational group has a personal accompanier, who assesses their journey and ensures that the candidate lives a healthy and balanced sexuality.

16. The Community, when welcoming new vocations, must adhere to the legal regulations of each country regarding the assessment of the suitability of individuals called to engage in apostolic work involving minors. The rules prescribed by the local Episcopal Conference in this regard are fully adopted by the Community.

17. To enter the postulancy of the Community, the candidate must prove, through the presentation of an official document, that they have no criminal record of sexual abuse of minors. In cases where candidates have attended a seminary, they must present a letter from the rector attesting to their suitability and explicitly stating that the candidate has never been involved in child abuse.

Chapter II - Initial Formation

18. In the initial formation program, both for candidates entering the Community, postulants, and disciples, as well as for its members with temporary promises, a comprehensive view of human sexuality should be presented, encompassing its anthropological, theological, spiritual, and psychological foundations. The topic of chastity should be addressed clearly. It is appropriate for each candidate or member of the Community to be prepared to handle any potential cases of child abuse that may arise in their pastoral activity.

19. Candidates for entry into the Community, starting from the period of the vocational path, postulancy and discipleship, receive appropriate formation and guidance to promote vigilance and prudence regarding behaviors that pose a risk to the sphere of sexuality.

20. In the first year of discipleship within the Community, where new vocations are formed, missionaries will receive 40 hours of specific training on these topics.

21. The formators of the Community's disciples must be trained to identify inappropriate or suspicious behaviors and attitudes concerning sexuality among the candidates in formation, and to address any potential problems in this regard in a personalized manner. It is of utmost importance to conduct a proper assessment of the maturity of the members in formation from this point of view, during the discernment phase of their suitability to continue their formative and missionary journey in the Community.

22. The periodic personal accompaniment meetings of the external forum are of utmost importance for verifying the suitability to work with minors in a healthy and constructive manner.

Chapter III - Permanent Formation

23. In the process of permanent formation, the Community continually updates and revisits the formation of its members in the spiritual, vocational, human, and apostolic dimensions. This constant formative attention will provide the necessary support for the spiritual, communal, and apostolic life to maintain perseverance and fervor, aiming towards a life continually oriented towards offering oneself, permanently dedicated to self-offering to God and to others.

24. The Formation Assistance will take care to include in the process of the permanent formation of the members of the community periodic references to the topic of protection of minors

Chapter IV - Formation of the authorities

25. In the theoretical and practical formation of new authorities, the theme of protection of minors will be addressed considering the following purposes:

a) To know how to guide and form the members about their own responsibility according to the indications contained in this document.
b) Follow the successive guidelines regarding the protection of minors, as indicated by the Missionary Assistance and the Formation Assistance, in accordance with the Commission for the Protection of Minors established within the Community.
c) Follow the guidelines contained in documents issued on the matter by the Local Churches at the level of the Episcopal Conference and diocesan, in the places where the Community is present.
d) Act in accordance with the civil legislation in each country where the Community is present.

26. The periodic updating of the Community's formation program at each level should always pay particular attention to the topic of protection of minors, so that each member is properly prepared to address any relevant situations or challenges. These updates should be made to ensure that the topic maintains its importance over time.

27. Within the scope of the permanent formation process, members of the Community must always demonstrate their willingness to follow the guidelines contained in this document.

28. Throughout the formative process described in Title II, in the prevention efforts outlined in Title III, and in decisions regarding received reports as described in Title IV, attention must be paid to avoid creating a climate of tension and fear in activities involving minors. Let us remember that our Charism emerged as a response to the present times; therefore, it is necessary to handle the wounds of this generation with skill, serenity, and without fear.

Títle III - Guidelines for activities organized by the Shalom Community, entirely or partially dedicated to minors

Chapter I - Guidelines for pastoral and evangelizing activities

29. In its evangelizing action, the Community organizes formation and evangelization activities expressly dedicated to young people, adolescents, children, and other activities in which the presence of minors may be expected. In their development, for the better protection of the participating minors, it is deemed appropriate to pay particular attention to the aspects of this chapter.

30. The general program (times, places, topics covered, formators) of activities involving minors must be made known to the participants and their respective families through the Community's ordinary communication channels. Activities involving sexual education topics must always follow the teachings of the Church's Magisterium. The theme of human sexuality will be addressed considering its theological, anthropological, psychological, and moral foundations, in order to primarily demonstrate the beauty of this dimension for humanity. At the same time, it is necessary to clearly present that the sphere of sexuality, like every other aspect of human life, has been wounded by original sin and must be purified and redeemed in Jesus Christ through grace and adherence to a path of conversion. Words or images that may offend healthy modesty in participants should not be used in activities involving minors.

31. For each formative activity involving minors, the continuous active availability of a minimum of two adult facilitators is required. If the number of participating minors exceeds 20, the number of adult facilitators should be increased as needed. facilitators should pay special attention to situations that may endanger the emotional, physical, and sexual integrity of minors and vulnerable individuals.

32. In activities involving travel or movement, an adult facilitator should never be alone with a minor. In cases where, out of necessity and at the request of the family, a minor must be transported by an facilitator, the latter should request authorization from the parent.

33. In limited cases where activities involve individual attention to minor participants, discussions should take place in a visible and accessible location, preferably outdoors.

34. In activities involving overnight stays for participants, every effort should be made to ensure that facilitators are always accommodated in separate areas from minors, and there should also be separate quarters for boys and girls. For activities involving overnight stays for minors, written authorization from parents will be requested to allow their children to participate in activities organized by the Shalom Catholic Community.

35. In cases where pastoral activities require minors to stay overnight at a Community residence, explicit authorization from both parents and the responsible parties of the Community House must be obtained. Minors should be accommodated in a separate room from the missionaries living in that residence.

36. In cases where a minor participant, due to physical or psychological disability, requires assistance for independent use of hygiene services, facilitators will assess the opportunity to accompany them, with prior authorization from parents.

37. facilitators should be prudent in expressions of affection, avoiding prolonged and inappropriate physical contact, respecting the cultural boundaries.

38. At the request of parents, the Community is available to provide all information regarding the modalities of development of activities involving minors.

Chapter II - Preventive Training Activities on the Protection of Minors

39. All individuals who are part of the Shalom Work and engage in apostolic or pastoral service undergo an initial training program based on the service they are called to perform. Once the service has begun, they undergo ongoing training. All members of the Shalom Work also participate in monthly general training meetings involving everyone involved in the various services promoted by the Community.

40. The training program includes human formation that encompasses principles for a healthy perception in the sphere of human sexuality, considering the high dignity that this dimension has in life and in the constitution of the person. Chastity is proposed as a positive choice for a life of love for others, renouncing the pursuit of selfish pleasure and sin.

41. A specific formation is offered to those serving in activities involving the presence of minors through appropriate pedagogy, following the principles expressed in Titles I and III of this document. These collaborators will also be presented with guidelines for identifying possible signs of sexual abuse suffered by a minor.

42. The content of a specific formation will be developed and updated periodically by the Formation Assistance in accordance with the Community's Commission for the Protection of Minors. When developing the content, corresponding documents and protocols from the Episcopal Conference of the country where the Community is present, as well as local canonical and civil legislation, must be taken into account.

43. Further refresher courses will be periodically offered to facilitators of minors within the scope of their ordinary weekly training.

Title IV - Recourse and Reporting Procedures

44. The facilitators of the Shalom Community activities must pay attention and report to the responsible community authorities any behavior of sexual abuse potentially committed during the activities they participate in. In case such conduct is committed against minors, the procedures described in this Title will be followed.

45. The community authority or the facilitator who has received a specific report of possible sexual abuse of minors must immediately inform the Local Responsible of the Community in the reference diocese.

46. The Local Responsible must promptly proceed to listen to the parties involved and verify the minimum plausibility of the presented facts. Throughout the process, due discretion must be maintained to avoid unfairly and hastily damaging the image of the involved parties.

47. The Local Responsible will conduct the interviews personally. With the approval of the Missionary Assistance, they may delegate the task to another member of the local Community who has sufficient experience, maturity, and capability to oversee the process.

48. In cases where the accused person is the Local Responsible themselves or the person who reported the alleged abuse is not satisfied with how the process is conducted locally, the involved parties have the right to directly contact the Missionary Assistance or the Community's Commission for the Protection of Minors.

49. In the event that the accused person is a cleric, the case will be presented to the ecclesiastical authorities of the diocese in which the accused cleric is incardinated, and the norms established by the local Ordinary and by the Episcopal Conference of the country will be observed. From the initial precautionary measures to the conclusion of the juridical-canonical processes and civil justice, the Community will always be available to collaborate with ecclesiastical and civil authorities.

50. Recognizing the seriousness of the crime of sexual abuse, the received reports must be handled with great care. It is of utmost importance that investigation processes be conducted with diligence and dedication. In this way, it will be concretely demonstrated that such crimes are absolutely not tolerated in the Community and in the Shalom Work.

51. During the process, the Community will provide a supportive environment for the accuser to feel free to speak about the facts within their knowledge, welcomed in a pastoral environment conducive to such freedom and serenity of expression. In the fact-finding process, the person may choose a trusted member of the Community to accompany them in successive dialogues with the Community authorities.

52. If the accuser is not the victim of the alleged abuse, the minor will be contacted to be received and heard in the most appropriate manner. In this process, the victim will receive priority attention from the Community. Care will be taken to avoid that the approach towards the minor causes further damage to their emotional situation. In the listening process, their indignation and sadness should be understood. Faced with the shock generated in such situations, it is necessary to fully respect the minor's wish for confidentiality. If their family is not aware of the facts, they should be informed as soon as possible.

53. The Community will take care to address such a painful situation with the utmost pastoral care. It will offer pastoral, spiritual, psychological, and medical support to the minor and their family throughout all phases of the process, with the intention of healing the wounds suffered.

54. If the accused person is a member of the Community, they shall be summoned to be informed of the accusation and heard. The person shall be received in an environment conducive to complete sincerity and truth about what happened, including the manner, frequency, intention of the acts, and the description of the relationships with the minor. Confidentiality shall be maintained at each phase of the process, respecting the right to personal reputation.

55. In the event that the situation described is considered worthy of further investigation, as a precautionary measure, the accused shall be relieved of any pastoral activity involving minors and young people, without awaiting the definitive clarification of the facts. The accused shall undertake a path of prayer, penance, and more intense accompaniment by their direct community authorities, assessing the opportunity of their continued presence in the community body during and at the end of the fact-finding process.

56. Aware of the possibility that anyone may be subject to slander, the Community shall always observe the principle of presumption of innocence. The Community will take care not to prematurely present to civil authorities facts that have not yet been confirmed.

57. During the fact-finding process, the accused shall be offered spiritual, formative, and psychological support so that they may deal with this difficult situation in the best possible way. In the event that the accused is temporarily disengaged or suspended from community life obligations, they shall still receive the appropriate support for as long as necessary. Community members who become aware of such circumstances should treat the situation with the utmost respect for the accused, avoiding unjust and hasty damage to their image. They should support them with prayers, charity, and mercy in such a painful situation.

58. The results of the preliminary investigation phase shall be presented in writing by the Local Responsible and sent to the Missionary Assistance, which will then forward the document to the Commission for the Protection of Minors. Based on a thorough analysis and the search for evidence, the Commission shall present its opinion to the Community.

59. In the event that the allegations of abuse are found to be substantiated, the Community, based on the opinion of the Commission for the Protection of Minors, in accordance with the legislation of each country and the guidelines of the Episcopal Conference, shall contact the civil authorities on the matter.

60. The Community demonstrates its fundamental interest in ensuring that the entire process unfolds transparently. In line with this interest, the Community is committed to active collaboration with the civil authorities involved in the fact-finding process.

61. The Community undertakes not to allow in any way the concealment of crimes of sexual abuse against minors committed by its members in the context of their missionary activities. The Community affirms its desire to remain fully in line with the Church's guidelines regarding such a painful and delicate issue, which is present as a scourge in today's society.

62. Throughout the process, the Community will make available to the victim and their family one or more accompaniers who will be able to provide a good pastoral approach in this specific area. In this way, the Community will attend to the process of healing the wounds suffered, ensuring good communication between the Community and those involved.
Final Provisions

63. With this protocol, the Shalom Catholic Community publicly defines and further clarifies the procedures to be observed regarding the protection of minors in its activities. The Community acknowledges that the formation of its members is of fundamental importance so that missionaries who serve mainly in activities with young people are ready to address a serious issue such as the abuse of minors.

64. The fundamental guidelines outlined in this document provide the necessary basic clarity for each member of the Community and especially the community authorities to know how to behave to protect minors from abuse. Prevention is certainly crucial, but it is equally important to properly handle each received report and recognize in minors the symptoms of possible abuse.

65. We are convinced that if the human formation received by our facilitators is enriched by a good pedagogical approach to the topic of abuse, they will be able to take on a leading role in preventing and resolving complicated situations that may arise in this area.

66. We are aware that this document constitutes a general guideline, which should be developed on the various topics addressed in collaboration with the Commission for the Protection of Minors of the Community. Such guidelines will be defined in detail in complementary protocols and manuals prepared by the Assistances and in training on the protection of minors.

67. In view of this serious commitment, we entrust ourselves to Her, who was the tabernacle of the reconstruction of humanity, our Mother, Mary Most Holy. May Mary intercede for us and teach us how to respond to God's call. May she sustain us to face the challenges of this time, standing, like Her, at the foot of the Cross, to lead us to the joy of the Resurrection.

Immaculate Mother of God,
beautiful daughter and wife, virgin and mother,
You are clothed in a supercelestial beauty, enveloped in a love higher than the heavens. In your womb, the nuptials were fulfilled, the Spousal Love between Heaven and Earth, O Most Holy!
You are a transparent window invaded by the Light that comes from above, so that Christ may be present in the world.
You received from the Father, in the Spirit, the great gift of the Divine Little Child. To Him, from whom you received everything, you gave everything: your life, your entrails, your soul, your maternal affection.

The eternal and only-begotten Son of the Father is now your Treasure, your Divine-Human Son. He belongs entirely to the Father, but He became yours when you welcomed Him as the Word through your obedient ear, when you welcomed Him as "Flesh of your flesh" in your purest womb, and as the Love you gave a place in your immaculate heart.

Eve took the fruit from the tree of Eden to put it in her womb and thus satisfy herself with the false peace of sin. You "took" the fruit from your womb to offer it on the Tree of Calvary, to satisfy the world with the everlasting Peace of Redemption.

Through you, the pure and holy streams of the Heavenly Jerusalem penetrate the dirt of our earthly city, wounded by the scourges of sin. Pilgrims amidst the wounds of humanity, we turn to your intercession, so that all wounded men and women of this time may be visited by the Paschal Light of your Son, the Risen One who passed through the Cross, who knows how to transform every painful wound into a glorious mark.

We entrust to you the little ones, the children, the young people, the missionaries, the spouses, the fathers, the mothers, the celibates, the priests, and all those who on this earth hope to be clothed like You with the Beauty of Heaven. In You, O Mother, we find everything we want to be! We and all humanity, wounded friends of the Bridegroom, trust in your maternal protection, Spouse of Spouses. Intercede so that there may be no room for evil among us and so that the strength of Trinitarian Love may shine forth in our life and mission.

Teacher of love, small and grand, Queen of Heaven and Earth, Immaculate Conception, pray for us!

Amen.

Shalom Catholic Community
Fortaleza, December 8th 2019
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary

 

¹Statutes of the Shalom Catholic Community (SShCC), 6
²SShCC, Preamble
³In this text, whenever we refer to minors, we also include in this category vulnerable adults.
⁴SShCC, 172. The Missionary Assistant is the direct delegate of the General Moderator for the ordinary acts of governance concerning the missionaries of the Community. Therefore, this authority will represent the General Moderator in overseeing the processes related to abuse allegations.
⁵SShCC, 172.
⁶SShCC, 175.