Bishops to study draft rules for accepting foreign priests

Published: 2003-11-12

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. bishops have been asked to consider setting up procedures for getting assurances that a foreign priest proposed for working in ministry in the United States has not engaged in sexual improprieties. The foreign priest's bishop or religious superior, under the proposal, would be required to sign an affidavit that says, "I am unaware of any sexual misconduct or other impropriety" by the foreign priest. The foreign priest also would have to sign beforehand a statement of the U.S. bishops' policies and procedures regarding sex abuse as evidence of his understanding and acceptance of the policies and procedures. These requirements are included in a proposal by the bishops' Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry to standardize procedures for accepting foreign priests for diocesan service in the United States. The proposal was presented Nov. 12 during the bishops' fall general meeting. Bishops were asked to forward to the committee comments and amendments to the procedures with a final draft to be voted on at a future general meeting.

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