Restoration to Ministry
Principles and Processes for ministering restoration to clergy whose ethical failure has resulted in cessation of their ministry
last updated 6 February 2006
Professional Standards Committee, Anglican Church, Missionary Diocese of Tasmania
The purpose for the following strategy is to provide for a healthy process of restoring clergy, where possible, to ministry. This protocol complements disciplinary action and the recovery process for the congregation.
1. Principles of Restoration
- This process of restoration seeks to recognise:
- The consequences of ethical failure,
- The value and integrity of the vocation,
- The importance of trust-based relationships in ministry,
- The impact of failure on others, and
- The grace and forgiveness of God.
- Restoration to ministry following an ethical failure is possible in some but not all circumstances.
- The application of this process does not provide a guarantee that restoration to any former or new ministry will be the outcome.
- Where restoration occurs, it will be the end result of a process, over time, involving acknowledgment of misconduct and its impact, repentance, spiritual renewal, self-understanding, the development of personal and professional accountabilities and commitments to ongoing self-care. It is noted that there is a need for evidence to confirm that these processes have occurred.
2. Responsibilities for Restoration
- Apart from pastoral, disciplinary and other responses, the Bishop may, in consultation with the Professional Standards Committee, take the initiative to shepherd the minister and to work with the individual toward completed personal repentance. If restoration is possible, the Bishop will appoint a restoration team, approve the restoration plan and make the final decision whether to restore the minister at the conclusion of the process.
- The minister will bear responsibility to embrace genuine repentance through willingly entering a restoration covenant and seeking to grow through the accountability and personal restoration processes as developed through the strategy.
- The restoration team is responsible to provide a supportive environment and a clearly outlined plan under which the candidate for restoration can address issues and work towards rebuilding trust and capacity for ministry. The restoration team will regularly assess progress towards restoration, maintain written records and report to the Bishop at agreed intervals. The team will recommend appropriate levels of ministry and finally the restoration of credentials when they consider the candidate to have met the guidelines outlined by the Bishop.
3. Components of the Restoration Strategy
- The Bishop assesses the circumstances surrounding the ethical failure and makes a decision whether restoration is possible
- The Bishop may appoint an assessor to make a recommendation as to the case for restoration in a particular situation. Reference to the Indicators (appendix 2) may be helpful.
- The process of restoration is outlined to the minister involved
- A covenant of restoration is signed by both parties (See appendix 1)
- A restoration group is appointed by the Bishop, comprising 3-4 qualified members. The group is composed of a parish representative, a professional and an independent member (i.e. with no previous involvement in the current events), and are appointed by the Bishop in consultation with the candidate for restoration.
- Consideration should be given to the availability of a counsellor (possibly a psychologist or therapist), fellow clergy, a qualified family friend, a church consultant. The group should include both male and female members.
- The group meets at regular intervals for assessment, accountability and support of the restoration process. (Monthly meetings are recommended during early stages of the process, meetings may be less frequent later in the process.) As needed, the committee may recommend professional counselling or therapy. (For an outline of issues to be considered in sessions see appendix 3)
- A restoration strategy often takes between 1 - 3 years following ethical failure. h) Other persons impacted by the ethical failure may be included in some of the meetings or special meetings held on their behalf as part of the process.
- Clear objectives need to be articulated as part of the strategy and step by step progress towards these documented. Written notes are made following each meeting outlining general areas of discussion, observations of progress or blockages.
- The Bishop is kept informed of progress.
- The group continues to meet until a recommendation can be made to the bishop on restoration.
- The process may be terminated by the Bishop, the candidate or the restoration group.
4. Other Considerations in Restoration
- Each restoration group will review this process and report to the Professional Standards Committee, regardless of the outcome.
- Repentance is more than confession, an apology or a stated intention not to repeat the misconduct. It requires evidence of:
- Steps taken by the applicant that indicates a heart-felt acknowledgment of misconduct and a need to change.
- Identification, by the applicant, of conditions that allowed the misconduct to happen; and changes that ensure prevention of future misconduct and the protection of the vulnerable.
- Identification, by the applicant, of the personal needs that lie behind the misconduct and the development of ethical ways to meet those needs.
- Identification, by the applicant, of beliefs and attitudes that lie behind the misconduct and rejection of the beliefs and attitudes.
Attached with this Policy
Appendix 1 Restoration Covenant - view as pdf file or download as a Microsoft Word document.
Available on Request from the Director of Professional Standards, Anglican Church, Missionary Diocese of Tasmania:
Appendix 2 Indicators of healthy restoration
Appendix 3 Issues for exploration with Restoration Team