The Anglican Diocese of Sydney has taken the lead in the Anglican Church of Australia by becoming the first diocese to adopt stringent new measures to protect children from sex abuse.

In its meeting on 25 October, the Synod unanimously agreed to adopt a 'Safe Ministry Check' for clergy and lay workers as well as a detailed code of conduct for clergy and church workers to monitor personal and professional behaviour. Both were drawn up by the Church's Child Protection Committee over a three-year process involving extensive consultation at a national level.

The move was a test case for the new measures, which the General Synod recommended each diocese adopt when it met earlier this month. The General Synod urged each of the Anglican Church of Australia's 23 dioceses to accept the uniform procedures for dealing with sex abuse and misconduct by clergy and church workers. It also issued an apology to abuse victims. Each diocese is expected to adopt the recommendations locally when their annual Synods meet over the next 12 to 18 months.

Included in the code of conduct, called Faithfulness in Service, is the expectation that clergy and church workers adhere to faithfulness in marriage and chastity in singleness.

Article from: Media Release from Diocese of Sydney