Praesidium Standards

Praesidium has been selected to serve as the accrediting body for Catholic men’s religious orders and congregations in the United States since 2004.  More than 130 Institutes, representing 90 percent of Order Priests and Brothers in the United States, have attained Praesidium Accreditation^® and their work has been presented to the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life at the Vatican. ​Subiaco is currently going through the re-accreditation process whereby this third party outside organization affirms and accredits that Subiaco complies with Praesidium’s Standards for Accreditation which covers three areas:

• Prevention standards review how new members are screened, educational programs for initial and ongoing formation, systems of support and accountability, and how the Institute manages internal reports of potential boundary violations.
• Responding standards review the Institute’s response to reports of suspected abuse and the role of external review boards.
• Supervision standards review the management and supervision of a member who is known to have abused a minor.

Each standard includes a number of requirements that must be met for accreditation as well as detailed clarifications of these requirements.

NB: Praesidium uses the word “Institute” to represent the organization being evaluated. In this instance, the Institute is Subiaco Abbey.

Standard 1
The Institute will screen new Candidates for membership in the Institute.

Standard 2
At each stage in the initial formation of Members, the Institute will assist in their ongoing growth toward a healthy sexuality as a foundation for celibate chastity.

Standard 3
The Institute will identify and utilize systems of support and accountability for its Members.

Standard 4
The Institute will establish and publish clear policies for boundaries with minors.

Standard 5
The Institute will educate its Members regarding the prevalence, identification, and prevention of sexual abuse of minors, giving special attention to topics that are of unique relevance to religious.

Standard 6
The Institute will interrupt and intervene when a Member violates the Institute’s policies regarding boundaries with minors.

Standard 7
The Major Superior of the Institute will communicate annually to the Members regarding the Institute’s commitment to the protection of minors and the institute’s current initiatives and actions with respect to the protection of the vulnerable, healing for those who have been harmed by abuse, and fulfillment of the Accreditation Standards.

Standard 8
Representatives of the Institute will respond pastorally and compassionately to any person who alleges sexual abuse of a minor by a Member of the Institute.

Standard 9
Representatives of the Institute who are responsible for assisting individuals who have alleged sexual abuse as a minor will be educated regarding the nature of their role.

Standard 10
Representatives of the Institute will make a significant effort to promote the healing process for individuals who allege being sexually abused as a minor.

Standard 11
The Institute will adhere to written protocols for responding to reports and allegations of sexual abuse of a minor.

Standard 12
The Institute’s policy will state the obligation of each of its Members to report to civil authorities all allegations of known or suspected sexual abuse of a victim who is currently a minor.

Standard 13
The Institute will report known or suspected sexual abuse of a minor by a Member when the victim is no longer a minor, as obligated by the civil laws of the state where the sexual abuse of the minor allegedly occurred.

Standard 14
The Institute will cooperate with civil authorities that are conducting an investigation of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor.

Standard 15
The Institute will investigate all reports and allegations of sexual abuse of minors by a Member, to the extent possible, based on the information provided.

Standard 16
The Institute will document all reports and allegations of sexual abuse of minors by a Member, and its responses to the reports and allegations, including anonymous allegations and reports.

Standard 17
The Institute will utilize a Review Board for the purpose of providing consultation to the Major Superior on the response to all reports and allegations of sexual abuse of minors.

Standard 18
In cases where an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor committed by a Member has been established, the Institute will inform the leadership of any organization or ministry in which the Member has admitted to, or is suspected of, having sexually abused a minor, to the extent possible.

Standard 19
The Institute will maintain a written, individualized Safety Plan to guide the supervision of any Member against whom an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor has been established.

Standard 20
When the sexual abuse of a minor by a Member has been established, the Member will not be permitted to work in any position which allows access to minors, or in any ecclesiastical ministry, in accordance with the Essential Norms for Diocesan/ Eparchical Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons.

Standard 21
The Review Board will review each Safety Plan at least annually and offer recommendations to the Major Superior.

Standard 22
Individuals who supervise Members who have Safety Plans will be physically and emotionally capable and adequately trained to perform the duties involved in supervision.

Standard 23
Those who supervise Members who have Safety Plans will have access to all pertinent information about the Member that is not otherwise privileged.

Standard 24
The Major Superior or his delegate will annually evaluate compliance with all Safety Plans.

Standard 25
Communities that house “high-risk” Members will be visited by outside auditors on an unannounced basis to ensure consistent implementation of Safety Plan protocols.