Healthy Relationships Policy

The purpose of this policy is to establish clear standards for mature, healthy, professional and
moral relationships for the monks of Belmont Abbey with other persons in keeping with the
monks’ public profession of monastic vows for the sake of the Kingdom of God. In particular, it
is intended to protect the safety and welfare of minors and vulnerable adults. It affirms the
obligation of all monks of Belmont Abbey, including the Abbot: 1) to treat all people with
dignity and respect in keeping with the faith and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and
the laws of the State of North Carolina; 2) to assist in identifying suspected child abuse, sexual
abuse or misconduct and to report such abuse in compliance with this policy and with the laws of
the State of North Carolina; 3) to establish proper procedures for responding to any allegation or
report that a Member of the Benedictine Community of Belmont Abbey, including the Abbot,
has allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct or in the abuse of a child or vulnerable adult.
This policy is intended to complement and comply with the “Charter for the Protection of
Children and Young People” originally adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops in 2002, and most recently revised in 2011; the motu proprio Vos Estis Lux Mundi
issued by Pope Francis in 2019, and the Instruments of Hope and Healing of the Conference of
Major Superiors of Men.
This policy provides guidelines to assist the monks of Belmont Abbey in living their Catholic
faith and monastic vows with integrity, in dealing with allegations of sexual misconduct or abuse
with compassion and concern for the welfare of survivors of sexual exploitation and in assuring
fair and just treatment for accused members of the monastic community. In exceptional
circumstances, the precepts of the Catholic faith, the prescriptions of canon law, or the greater
good of all concerned may require that action at variance with the provisions of this policy be
taken.
This policy supersedes and replaces all previous policies at Belmont Abbey dealing with sexual
abuse or misconduct.