Members of clergy are expected to meet high standards of personal and professional conduct. Some of these standards are set out in the Guidelines for the Professional Conduct of the Clergy. The Guidelines are not definitive but can be used as a basis for understanding the expected behaviours from someone who is part of the clergy.
In addition, the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 (CDM) provides a definition of what is considered “misconduct”, in Section 8 (1). This includes failures to comply with the requirements set out in a code issued under section 5A of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016. The “Clergy Discipline Measure 2003: Code of Practice” includes additional guidance on what is considered “misconduct” under the Measure (see pages 17-21)1 .
It must also be noted that, under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, members of clergy hold “positions of trust”, as the nature of their role requires them to have direct contact with children and young people from a position of authority. It is against the law for someone in a position of trust to engage in sexual activity with a child in their care, even if that child is over the age of consent (16 or over). Allegations of this nature must be reported to the police.
- 1The Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 is due to be replaced with the Clergy Conduct Measure. The current Code of Practice accompanying the Measure will also be replaced with a new Code of Practice. Once these changes are enacted, the guidance in this Code will be updated.