Role of Leadership in Clergy Sexual Misconduct Cases
We have been approached by concerned clergy, including hierarchs, seeking guidance and clarity on how to respond appropriately when allegations of sexual abuse arise.
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As a bishop or ministry leader, it is essential to understand—and remain within—your proper role.
1
Know your role
It is not your role to determine whether a sexual misconduct allegation is true or false. The responsibility to investigate lies with qualified and external investigative and judicial authorities. Too often, Orthodox church clergy and leadership shift into the role of “investigator,” “prosecutor,” or “public relations manager.” None of these roles reflect what Christ has called the Church to be. Your calling is to protect the vulnerable, care for the wounded, and shepherd your community with compassion and integrity.
2
Be mindful of your audience and community
Be mindful of your audience. Data show that in nearly every community, a significant percentage of people are themselves survivors of sexual abuse. They are listening closely to your words and watching your actions when an allegation is made.
3
Get external assistance (do not rely internally)
If the allegation may involve criminal conduct, it is especially not your role to investigate. Your duty is to report the matter immediately to the appropriate civil authorities. If the matter may have civil legal implications, seek help from qualified external experts—such as GRACE (https://www.netgrace.org/) or us here at Prosopon Healing—rather than relying solely on your own judgment or internal sources. Orthodox administrations are not typically equipped to handle these types of cases. Clergy-perpetrated sexual abuse requires specialized training and expertise, which Orthodox Church administrations simply do not possess. It is absolutely never the role of a priest to investigate or interview a fellow priest about allegations.
4
Caution when deferring to your internal attorney (this has shown to fail)
Finally, be cautious about deferring entirely to your internal attorneys who approach clergy sexual misconduct primarily from a risk-management perspective. Legal protection of the institution must never come at the expense of protecting victims. Moreover, attorneys are rarely trained in trauma care, and their involvement—without parallel engagement from qualified therapists—can unintentionally cause severe harm to survivors of clergy-perpetrated sexual abuse.