“The church community has a special obligation to children [sic, and vulnerable adults] that it carries out with seriousness. In the church’s ordinary life, children are educated in the faith and initiated into the church’s sacramental life. Parishes devote significant energy and resources to the development of their young members, and countless individuals have dedicated themselves to ministering to youth. Everyone in the community has a responsibility to protect children [sic, and vulnerable adults]—parents, clerics, educators, youth ministers, volunteers working with youth, even youths themselves, and adults who are not directly involved in work with children.”
Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington’s Decree in response to the USCCB’s directives, November 1992.