In the summer of 2001, Bishop Waggoner began assembling the Committee on Sexual Ethics in Conduct and Ministry. His call to the committee was to review and revise the current diocesan policies. Since the fall of 2001, the committee has approached this call with care, diligence and a deep passion for the safety of the people of God. The work of this committee has resulted in the Code of Sexual Ethics and Professional Conduct.
Current (*) and past members of the committee are:
Judy Kirking* Mark Butler
Kristi Philip* Chris Coppen
Holladay Sanderson* Virginia Lane
Christine Soule* Rick Ward
Kay Turner*
Much of the work of the committee has been founded upon the wisdom of others who preceded us throughout the Anglican Communion. We are most grateful to the Diocese of Huron in Canada which has allowed us to adopt the same theological foundation which it so carefully developed. The Rev. Virginia Lane had much to do with its writing.
As we proceeded in this work, we have examined the policies and procedures of several dioceses, among them, the Dioceses of Huron, Chicago and San Diego. We owe much to the ministries of those who have led the way in the development of model policies. The work of the Diocese of Huron is reflected in our general policy and the work of the Diocese of Chicago and the Rev. Randall Warren, Pastoral Care Officer in that diocese, is reflected in the layout of the procedures.
The committee’s work continued as we learned and developed training materials for both child and adult sexual abuse prevention training. Our diocesan revisions to comply with the General Convention Resolution B008: Protection of Children and Youth From Abuse began during the summer of 2004. With the availability of new national model policies and procedures which addressed the call of the resolution, the committee undertook the incorporation of portions of the new national model policies into our own. This second revision is the result of that work.
Thorough review and revision cannot effectively happen without input from the congregations of the Diocese of Spokane. As we grow together and begin to implement this Code, do not hesitate to communicate comments and questions to the Committee on Sexual Ethics in Conduct and Ministry.
The Rev. Holladay Sanderson
Chair