1. Introduction
Although no cases of sexual abuse have been reported or detected in the Estonian Catholic Church, following the directives issued by the Holy See, we have prepared these guidelines both to prevent and to act – if necessary – against this terrible crime. This document is intended for the priests of the Catholic Church in Estonia, all Catholics and authorities in general. We want it to be a sign of our commitment to prevent this kind of offense, and at the same time a clear indication that the Estonian Catholic Church will fully satisfy its obligations under the law of the Estonian Republic and under the law of the Catholic Church. While we thank God for the faithfulness of our priests, we pledge to make every possible effort so that any case of abuse may never occur in the Apostolic Administration of Estonia.