February 14, 2018
NEW YORK – In anticipation of the work of the 2018 Clergy Laity Congress, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America, announced today the on-line publication of updated Archdiocesan Regulations, dated December 2017. This version includes the amendments passed by previous Clergy Laity Congresses, all of which were subsequently ratified by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The most recent amendments to the Regulations are intended by the Church to promote transparency and high standards of conduct and ethics with respect to Archdiocesan administrative and financial activities and practices.
Notably, the Regulations now contain specific language that incorporates into the Regulations the Archdiocese’s youth protection policies.
Further, the Regulations now incorporate the previously adopted Conflict of Interest Policy for individuals working for, or who are otherwise engaged in services on behalf of, the Archdiocese, the Metropolises and the Parishes. An annual certification by all such individuals will be required, and the forms for such certifications are included.
The Regulations now also include the previously adopted Archdiocese Whistle Blower Policy, which aims to protect from retribution employees reporting misconduct or malfeasance by their superiors or fellow employees.
A collaborative, comprehensive process for determining what constitutes a non-viable parish and how its assets are to be handled also is included.
The Faithful and, particularly, Parish Council members and Parish leaders, are asked to review the updated Regulations. Parishes and Metropolises wishing to propose changes at this year’s Clergy Laity Congress in Boston are particularly urged to review the Regulations and to follow the process outlined in them with respect to amendments.
The December 2017 Archdiocese Regulations are available on the Archdiocese website, https://www.goarch.org/documents/regulations
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