This Statement of Pastoral Boundaries was previously displayed on our Child Safety page.  As of 14 October 2025, it is under review.

Our parish priest, Archpriest James Carles, understands that he is called to be “an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

To this end, in his pastoral work with people of all ages he has undertaken to:

• Build healthy and clearly defined pastoral relationships based on trust and mutual respect
• Guide them in the Orthodox Christian spiritual life with patience, kindness, empathy, and impartiality
• Take particular care to observe discretion and pastoral caution should it become necessary to discuss matters of sexual behaviour, whether in explaining church teaching or providing guidance in the context of confession

In addition, in his dealings with the faithful he has undertaken to not:

• Impose any moral or other requirements that go beyond the Holy Scriptures, the precepts of the Holy Fathers, and the canonical tradition of the Orthodox Church
• Require unquestioning obedience
• Discourage access to any preventative, curative or palliative medical care or treatment recommended by health professionals, other than in circumstances when the care or treatment proposed is fundamentally incompatible with the teaching of the Orthodox Church
• Involve himself improperly in their lives
• Foster an exclusive environment in opposition to other pastors and parishes or the higher church authorities, thereby encouraging suspicion and isolation
• Use his authority to promote political views
• Attempt to improperly influence the faithful in such matters as
  • A choice or field of study
  • Obtaining or leaving employment
  • A place of residence
  • A decision to marry or the choice of a future marriage partner
  • A decision to pursue the monastic life