In the Summer of 2021, Men of Melchizedek (MOM) received a request from a religious order asking if MOM would consider developing what they referred to as a “Model Policy” in dealing with accusations of sexual abuse while respecting the alleged victim’s claim. Their concern was in the proper care and treatment of their accused brothers who desired a clearly defined due process that could be easily communicated, and one in which they could participate in and track the progress of, as it moved along.
The perceptions of active priests in some dioceses and religious orders is that of a troubling lack of clear due process for accused priests, as well as a lack of clear guidelines for communication with the accused. It is a problem that virtually every single priest, active or accused, requests of MOM: “What is the process?”
As a result of this request, MOM’s Directors deliberated at length until it was decided to form an experienced group of attorneys to develop a Model Policy. Three attorneys who have personally assisted accused priests, dioceses, and religious orders were members of the group of four laymen who worked on the policy. They drew on their various areas of expertise in criminal law, insurance law, civil litigation, and canon law. MOM’s president, Joe Maher, drawing on his 20 years of experience helping thousands of accused priests, was the fourth layman to participate in the drafting of the policy.
The draft policy was then sent out for review by legal professionals and clergy, including a prominent civil attorney representing victims of clerical sexual abuse.
The task was enormous as they tried to cover every possible aspect of this very complex issue and yet narrow it down to concrete directives in a clear and concise process that would be appropriately responsive to alleged victims while giving accused priests the ability to exercise their civil and canonical rights of a competent defense.
Since the initial request, another religious order has already enthusiastically begun to implement the Model Policy. Included is an Appendix with information for advocates when participating in an investigative interview and an appearance before the Review Board.
Of course, MOM recognizes that dioceses and religious orders already have policies to handle accusations of abuse against their priests. But MOM’s Board of Directors want to make them aware of the Model Policy in the event that they may find it beneficial in some way to their own process.
Click here for a PDF version of the Model Policy