Safe Environment
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Safe Environment Training
is now required for
all Liturgical Ministers
effective March 1, 2025 -
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With direction and support from Most Rev. Douglas J. Lucia, the Diocesan Review Board, the Safe Environment Committee, and the Office of Safe Environment, the Diocese has decided to require all liturgical ministers to complete Safe Environment training and undergo a criminal background check. This decision strengthens the Diocese's ongoing commitment to safeguarding our most vulnerable.
Liturgical ministers play an essential role in nurturing the spiritual life of our parish families and serve as an example of trustworthiness. While they may not regularly have direct contact with children, youth, or vulnerable adults, those in these roles are viewed as safe adults by everyone who comes to worship.
To read Bishop Lucia's entire letter regarding the implementation of this new policy, effective March 1, 2025, click here.
This new policy will be implemented over a 2 1/2-year period, providing ample time for liturgical ministers in each category to complete Safe Environment training.
See the Liturgical Minister timeline for training below, and also by clicking here.
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Safe Environment Training
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The Office of Safe Environment and the Office of Victim Assistance are two distinct but closely related offices. These offices are accountable for integrating the approved standards of the Charter for Protection of Children and Young People (Charter) with our Catholic values and teachings, canon laws, and policies.
The Charter is a comprehensive set of procedures established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in June 2002 for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. The Charter includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability, and prevention of further acts of abuse. It directs action in all the following matters:
Creating a safe environment for children and young people
Healing and reconciliation of victims and survivors
Making prompt and effective responses to allegations
Cooperating with civil authorities
Disciplining offenders
Providing for means of accountability to ensure the problem continues to be effectively dealt with in the future through the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection and the National Review Board
INITIAL SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAININGSafe Environment Recertification Training
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- Safe Environment Forms
- Safe Environment & Victim Assistance Documents
- Diocesan Child & Youth Protection Policy
- Facilitator Resources
- Site Coordinator Resources
- Safe Environment Committee
- Safe Environment Training for Children & Youth
- Diocesan Compliance Audit
- Child Abuse Prevention Month
- Safe Environment Facilitator Recruitment
- Safe Environment Week
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Contact Us
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Jacqueline Bressettejbressettesyrdio.orgDirector, Safe Environment and Victim Assistance
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Julie Mossjmosssyrdio.orgProgram Coordinator, Safe Environment
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Tracy Shaughnessytshausyrdio.orgProgram Assistant, Safe Environment
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