Last Updated on Tuesday, 22 June 2010 14:25
The Office of Safe Environment is guided by a document promulgated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops called The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Specifically, Articles 12 and 13 direct the mission of this office. They read as follows.
ARTICLE 12. Dioceses/eparchies are to maintain "safe environment" programs which the diocesan/eparchial bishop deems to be in accord with Catholic moral principles. They are to be conducted cooperatively with parents, civil authorities, educators, and community organizations to provide education and training for children, youth, parents, ministers, educators, volunteers, and others about ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children and young people. Dioceses/eparchies are to make clear to clergy and all members of the community the standards of conduct for clergy and other persons in positions of trust with regard to children.
ARTICLE 13. Dioceses/eparchies are to evaluate the background of all incardinated and non-incardinated priests and deacons who are engaged in ecclesiastical ministry in the diocese/eparchy and of all diocesan/eparchial and parish/school or other paid personnel and volunteers whose duties include ongoing, unsupervised contact with minors. Specifically, they are to utilize the resources of law enforcement and other community agencies. In addition, they are to employ adequate screening and evaluative techniques in deciding the fitness of candidates for ordination (cf. National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Program of Priestly Formation, [Fifth Edition], 2006, no. 39).
To this end, the diocese in 2004 established its Office of Safe Environment for Children, Youth & Adults (Press Release) under the direction of Rod J. Herrera, L.C.S.W to oversee its programs of prevention, including background checks, safe-environment training and codes of conduct.
