The purpose and role of the Review Boards (as described in our Safeguarding for Children Policy – Section 9) is as follows:
The purposes of the Review Board are:
- To advise the SW on proper pastoral and/or disciplinary actions when allegations of abuse have been made or substantiated against a SW member.
- To advise the SW on proper pastoral and/or disciplinary actions to be taken when unsubstantiated allegations have been made against a SW.
- This role is particularly important in situations where statutory/civil authorities are not involved, decide not to be involved, or are involved but do not rule in any definitive way, e.g., do not file charges.
- To review Intervention Plans and Safety Plans that are in place for SW members.
- To review and advise the SW on its child protection policy and the manner in which it is handling child protection matters.
The Review Board will be comprised of at least five members, all of whom are of high integrity and good judgment. At least one member will have expertise in the prevention of the abuse of minors, and at least one member will be a woman. Members of the Sword of the Spirit will not be a majority of the board.
The members of the Review Board will be appointed by the Regional Elder and endorsed by the corporate board of that region, the Presiding Elder, the Senior Steward, and the SOS Outside Coordinator for the region.
Review Board members will serve five year terms.
Review Board members will meet at least once per year with the Regional Elder and regional Child Protection Officer. Meetings may be by conference call.
When there are no specific events or issues which require the action of the Board at the time the meeting is held, the meeting will be used by the Servants of the Word as an updating and reporting vehicle to a body external to the brotherhood.
The Regional Elder and the Review Board chair will ensure that the Review Board receives adequate training to fulfill their duties.
North America
Thomas Artz is the Review Board Chairperson. All board members are highly experienced and qualified for their role: one has served for 20 years in child protection in churches around the world; two are licensed counselors, one served for 20 years in Child Protection of the state of Georgia.
To contact the Review Board Chair: tomartz@uscsvd.org
Europe and Middle East
The Servants of the Word in Europe and Middle East have a membership with thirtyone:eight to access safeguarding advice and support as well as consultancy services when needed.
Costa Rica
La Junta de Revisión esta compuesta por varios miembros: Otto Peraza, como presidente, funge actualmente como Gerente de desarrollo organizacional y tiene muchos años de experiencia como consultor internacional. En la junta hay miembros con experiencia en la interpretación de las leyes para protección del menor, psicólogos calificados, Sacerdotes.
Para ponerse en contacto con el Presidente de la Junta de Revisión: operaza@coopenae.fi.cr
Mexico
La Junta de Revisión esta compuesta por varios miembros: Como presidente, Enrique Ramos Dr. en Educación Superior con mas de 35 años de experiencia en educación en todos los niveles así como en atención a situaciones de crisis, además, un sacerdote promotor de protección de menores del Movimiento de Juventudes Cristianas, Abogada, Lic. en Derecho Canónico, Psicóloga, miembro del consejo Pastoral para la Protección de los Menores de la Conferencia Episcopal Argentina, promotores de valores humanos y familiares en el ámbito público.
Para ponerse en contacto con el Presidente de la Junta de Revisión: jerr@itesm.mx
Philippines
1. Rev. Fr. Edilberto Cepe
Provincial Superior of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Visayas–Mindanao Province
- Scripture exegete—Licentiate at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome
- He has also been teaching Scriptures at St. Alphonsus Theological and Mission Institute (SATMI) and at the Regional Major Seminary in Davao City
- Former Provincial Vicar, before he assumed its leadership by right of succession after the death of his predecessor, Fr. Copernicus Perez, in August 2021
2. Rev. Fr. James Gascon, S.J.
Course Director and Chaplain of the Catholic Safeguarding Institute
- He was ordained as a priest on April 7, 2001. Immediately after ordination, he was missioned to the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) Muntinlupa, as a Volunteer Chaplain and eventually the Executive Director of the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service (PJPS) for two years. In 2003, after completing his MA in Theology from the Ateneo de Manila University, he went to Fordham University in New York, NY, where he earned his MA in Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Care (2005). From Fordham, he underwent an internship program for three years at the Blanton-Peale Graduate Institute, New York City, where he got his Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy (Cert-MFT). Returning from studies, he worked as a Senior Pastoral Psychotherapist of the Ruben M. Tanseco Center for Family Ministries (RMT-CEFAM), where he was also President for 11 years and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (two terms). He also served as one of the formators at the San Jose Seminary for 12 years, in-charge of Psycho-Human formation. Currently, he is Asst. Professor of Pastoral Counseling and Family Ministry at the Loyola School of Theology (LST) where he earned his Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL- May, 2020). He also holds a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Care from the Theology and Ministry Program, School of Humanities, Ateneo de Manila University, graduating on October 11, 2020.
- Presently, he resides at the Jesuit Residence of the Ateneo de Manila where he is the House Minister. He is the Diploma Course Director and Chaplain of the Catholic Safeguarding Institute.
- Email: j.gascon@catholic-
safeguarding.net
3. Carmen Bonto–La Viña
Director for Non-Academic Formation of the Catholic Safeguarding Institute
- Dr. La Viña went to the Gregorian University and attended the Diploma in Safeguarding of Minors in 2017. Since then her engagement with safeguarding has included being a consultant to the Philippine Jesuit Provincial on Professional Standards, 2016–2020; and an Associate member of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) – Episcopal Commission on Clergy (ECCler), 2017–2019.
- Prior to joining the Catholic Safeguarding Institute, she was a pastoral psychotherapist at Emmaus Center for Psycho-Spiritual Formation from 2007 to 2019. Her first career in social development from 1980 to 1994 involved student organizing, women’s issues, and rural development. She belonged to the pioneering batches of the Jesuit Volunteer Philippines (JVP; Batches 1 & 2) from 1980 to 1982.
- Her academic background also includes degrees in PhD (2013) and MS (2002) in Pastoral Counseling at Loyola University Maryland and a degree in MA (1999) in Pastoral Ministry, Major in Family Ministry and Counseling, Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University. She went to the Ateneo de Manila University for her undergraduate where she finished AB Communication Arts (1980).
- Email: m.lavina@catholic-
safeguarding.net
4. Joffrey Quiring, M.D., EMSRHS, FPPA
- Psychiatrist, Mental Health & Wellness Specialist
- Fellow of the Philippine Psychiatric Association
- Diplomate of the Specialty Board of Philippine Psychiatry
Education and Training:
- General Psychiatry, University of the Philippines—Philippine General Hospital Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine
- European Master in Sustainable Regional Health Systems, Universidad de Deusto (Spain), Corvinus University of Budapest (Hungary), Vilnius University (Lithuania)
- Doctor of Medicine & BS Basic Medical Sciences (INTARMED), University of the Philippines College of Medicine
5. Tetel Fernandez
First Vice President, Head of Talent Management, Security Bank
- Enabler of Growth and Success through Learning, HR Practicioner and expert in Organization Development
- Led and initiated various Diversity and Inclusion activities and programs
- Provided Change Management strategies, led and managed several critical projects that required implementation of new business models, transformation of organizational structure, introduction or modification of policies and processes as well as values embedding in the corporate culture
- Facilitated youth leadership development primarily among the big university students within Metro Manila, rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and also provided similar support to youth across the Asia Pacific region
- Senior Woman Leader of Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon Covenant Community