Joint Statement of
the Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of North America
and the Diocese of New York and New England
on the Publication of Certain Policies and Procedures

September 15, 2020

The Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of North America (the “Archdiocese”) and the Diocese of New York and New England (the “Diocese”) today announced the publication of updated policies and procedures related to claims of sexual misconduct. In furtherance of our efforts to prevent any such abuse and to promptly investigate all such allegations, the Archdiocese and the Diocese have each implemented the following effectively immediately:

• Updated the Sexual Misconduct and Physical Abuse and Neglect Policy
• Engaged a Third-Party Victim Reporting Center, Integrity Counts, reachable at 866-921-6714 or online at the respective Archdiocese or Diocese landing pages:
  • Archdiocese: http://www.integritycounts.ca/org/copticarch
  • Diocese: http://www.integritycounts.ca/org/nynecopts
• Established Behavioral Guidelines on the Interaction with Minors for Clergy and all Servants and Workers
• Requiring Mandatory Training for all Clergy on Policies and Procedures, including State-Mandated Reporting Requirements
• Requiring Mandatory Acknowledgment and Receipt from all Clergy on Policies and Procedures

The relevant documents for the Archdiocese and the Diocese can respectively be found at www.copticarch.org and www.nynecopts.org.

Using these policies and procedures, we will continue to work tirelessly to prevent such forms of abuse and investigate all allegations of misconduct. We are guided ultimately by our Apostolic Christian teachings and the Holy Scriptures to advocate on behalf of the speechless (Proverbs 31:8), seek justice and love mercy (Micah 6:8).