What Does Holy Spirit Do to Create a Safe Environment for our Children and our Young People?

In his recent visit to the United States, Pope Benedict was quite forward in his desire to address the issue that has created such upset in the Church since 2002 – the clergy sexual abuse scandal. He commended the bishops in their effort to work hard to create a safe environment for our children. Over the past five years, our own Diocese created an office for the Protection of Children and Young People, required background checks for all clergy, religious and parish volunteers, and has mandated that parish staff, personnel and volunteers be part of an educational program (Virtus) that will help us all to be able to prevent, recognize and appropriately report incidents of child abuse.

In addition, the diocese has instituted strict procedures, in accordance with the National Charter for the Protection of Young People, for the reporting and redressing of incidents of an abuse of a child or young person. The Diocese of Rockville Centre has installed a dedicated telephone line for the reporting of all cases. That phone number is (516) 594-9063. If the caller does not reach someone directly, messages can be left on an answering machine connected to the phone. Those messages will be retrieved by a member of the Intervention Team and returned as soon as possible. The intervention team then investigates the incident and reports the allegation to the appropriate law enforcement agencies which follows its own procedures. Further pastoral outreach and compassionate assistance is offered to the victims and their families.
 

Presently, all our parish staff, clergy, deacons and religious have undergone background screening and Virtus training. In addition, most of our parish volunteers have undergone background screening and have signed a Code of Conduct that stipulates that no inappropriate behavior would ever be engaged that would be unbecoming a person ministering in a Church environment

 Volunteer Code of Conduct for Service in the Parish Community of Holy Spirit Church

Our children are the most important gifts God has entrusted to us. As a volunteer, I promise to strictly follow the rules and guidelines in this Volunteer’s Code of Conduct:

As a volunteer will:
● Treat everyone with respect, loyalty, patience, integrity, courtesy, dignity, and consideration.
● Avoid situations where I am alone with children and/or youth at parish activities.
● Use positive reinforcement rather than criticism or comparison when working with children and/or youth.
● Refuse to accept expensive gifts from children and/or youth or their parents without prior written approval from the pastor.
● Refrain from giving expensive gifts to children and/or youth without prior written approval from the parents or guardian and the pastor.
● Report suspected abuse to the pastor, or appropriate supervisor and the local Child Protection Services agency or other civil authorities.
● Cooperate fully in any investigation of abuse of children and/or youth.

As a volunteer, I will not:

● Smoke or use tobacco products in the presence of children and/or youth.
● Use, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol at any time while volunteering.
● Use, possess, or be under the influence of illegal drugs at any time.
● Pose any health risk to children and/or youth (i.e., no fevers or other contagious situations).
● Strike, spank, shake, or slap children and/or youth.
● Humiliate, ridicule, threaten, or degrade children and/or youth.
● Touch a child and/or youth in a sexual or other inappropriate manner.
● Use any discipline that frightens or humiliates children and/or youth.
● Use profanity in the presence of children and/or youth.


I understand that as a volunteer working with children and/or youth, I am subject to a thorough background check including criminal history. I understand that any action inconsistent with this Code of Conduct or failure to take any action as outlined in this Code of Conduct may result in my being asked to no longer volunteer in my parish, Holy Spirit Church.

Click Here for the entire Diocesan Child Protection Policy Handbook (PDF Format)