原帖由 Guest from 61.240.15.x 於 2008-5-1 18:32 發表 
孤儿院的建立？
World: Americas
Church defiant over Quebec orphans
The Roman Catholic Church in theCanadian province of Quebec has ruled out any apology or compensationfor hundreds of orphans who say they were abused while in church careseveral decades ago.Around 3,000 children were brought up by the church from the 1930s to the 1950s, many of them born to unmarried parents.
In order to qualify for moregovernment aid, the church declared the orphans to be mentally ill, andkept them in psychiatric institutions, where they say physical andsexual abuse wasroutine.
The government has offered around $2m in compensation to the orphans, but they are demanding around $70m and a public inquiry.
'Difficult situations'
Pierre Morissette, president ofthe Quebec Assembly of Archbishops, said on Wednesday the matter wasdelicate because of legal considerations.
But he acknowledged the church recognised some orphans went through "difficult situations."
But he said a full apology would not be forthcoming.
"Such excuses would betray theworks of those who dedicated all their lives to the service of the mostdestitute," he told a news conference at Cap de la Madeleine, west ofQuebec City.
A spokesman for the orphans said: "This is total hypocrisy. This is a campaign of disinformation. It is horrible and contemptuous."
Last year, Canada's largest protestant church apologised to the country's nativepeople for physical, sexual and mental abuse of native children in church-run schools.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/448693.stm
Child Abuse and the Church
Do the recent disclosures of child abuse within theCatholic church have anything to do with us as Seventh-day Adventists?If you say no, think again!
In recent newspapers you are boundto find stories about the Roman Catholic Church. It likely will nameyet another priest who has either been accused, arrested, or hasadmitted to sexual abuse of children—young people whose parentsrespected their church and its pastors, but whose lives were devastatedby their experiences. Or it will focus on churchadministrators—bishops, cardinals, monsignors alike—who have failed bycovering up or looking the other way when they should have acted.
Itis easy to feel a little smug over all the media frenzy. You may think,“That wouldn’t happen in our church.” Unfortunately, you would bewrong. While there are some challenges that are unique to the RomanCatholic Church, we’d better remember the old adage, “There but for thegrace of God go I.”
Sexual abuse in the church does happen!
Thetruth is that sexual abuse in churches, including Seventh-day Adventistchurches, does happen. Sexual abuse is not just a Catholic problem. Nordid the media or the courts create the problem. Rather, they haveresponded because the church did not do its job of protecting people,particularly children. There is at least one study that clearlyindicates there are many adult survivors in the Seventh-day Adventistchurch who can attest to this (Family Crisis, SECC Family Ministries Study, 1993).
Childrenin church settings may be exposed to sexual abuse because the church byits nature is a welcoming organization. We Christians talk much aboutlove and forgiveness and grace, as well we should! At one time we sang,“Whosoever will may come.” All true. But what that tells a sexualpredator is that the church is an easy place to find victims.
Furthermore,most churches are more concerned about protecting their image, eitherin the community or in the media, than in protecting their children.What is happening in the Catholic Church is a glaring example. Mostchurches, including our own, have been guilty of moving an abusivepastor to another church or conference rather than addressing theissue. The responsibility of conferences in these cases is clear.
Ourthird failure happens when we have failed to take seriously the voicesof children in this matter. The common remark among adults is, “Well,you know, children can lie.” But empirical evidence is clear that the“lie rate” of children on this issue is slim to none.
So what must we do? How can we protect the children of our church from sexual abusers in the church? Here are some guidelines:
a) Keep your eyes open. Predators do not come with horns and a tail. They may be very charming, friendly people
b) Believe the children. If they tell you about something that has happened inappropriately, take it very seriously.
c) Pick and choose carefully.Do not allow anyone to work with children and youth unless they havebeen members for at least six months to a year, no matter how willingthey are or how well they play a guitar.
d) Screen everyone who works with children and youth.Forms are available that ask for references. The references should becontacted. The church leadership should interview all candidatesworking with children. Materials are available to do this process witha minimum of effort.
e) Be proactive. Train volunteersworking with children and youth about proper boundaries and behaviorthat will not only protect children but also the reputation of thevolunteer.
f) Set up a protocol for each congregation that includes all of the above. You must take seriously the protection of the children It is your most sacred trust.
g) Follow the protocol!
h) Educate the congregation about these issues.
What if the unthinkable happens? What if a child is molested by someone in your church? What should be done?
1. Report the incident to a child protective agency immediately, followed by a written report within 36 hours. Pastors, teachers and many other professionals must do this by law! If the child is in imminent danger, call the police.
2. Remember that this sort of abusive behavior does not change without intervention.
3.If the perpetrator happens to be the pastor, also call the localconference administration and/or human resources department as soon aspossible.
4. If there is a person in the congregationwho has molested children, do not place them in a leadership position,or church office. This provides credibility that will make iteasier to victimize children. In fact, someone in a congregation shouldbe assigned to observe any accused predator at all times and all churchfunctions. You should tell that person that it is for the protection ofchildren and for the protection of the perpetrator against furtheraccusations. While behavior cannot be controlled outside the church andits functions, it will serve to protect the church, its members and itschildren.
Finally, remember well the words of Jesus. “If anyof you puts a stumbling block before one of these little ones whobelieve in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone werehung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea.” Put the safetyof children first, for "of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Mark 9:42).
http://www.plusline.org/article.php?id=371 |
2008/5/2 11:36
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