Preamble Volunteers and lay employees in our parish must uphold Christian values and conduct as they minister to, or work with, the People of God. Imitating Christ, the servant-leader, all who serve in these ministries must employ practices that meet the needs of God’s people and promote the highest respect for the dignity of individuals, especially the most vulnerable members of our community. All who minister within our Church family must be aware that their public and private conduct can inspire others, and that their misconduct can lead to scandal which could seriously undermine the faith of the people they serve. With the help of the Holy Spirit, they must be constantly aware of the responsibilities that accompany their role in the Church. Volunteers and Lay Employees Screening expectations 1) All parish volunteers and lay employees, as well as staff of the Catholic Pastoral Centre, shall be screened according to the procedures and guidelines of the Archdiocese of Kingston and provided education in the identification of symptoms and markers associated with a child or vulnerable person who may be suffering from an abusive situation. 2) Each pastor is to establish a screening committee in his parish. A screening committee ranges in size from a minimum of two to a maximum of five people. 3) Standardized forms, provided by the Archdiocese to each parish, are to be used in the implementation of a uniform screening process, as are Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Checks, if appropriate. Determining Levels of Trust and Risk 1) Three categories will be used to assess a ministry position based on the level of trust afforded the volunteer or paid staff member. These are: GENERAL TRUST, INCREASED TRUST, HIGH TRUST. These ‘trust’ categories correspond to the levels of risk for potential harm to participants, the vulnerable, or church resources through the position. Risk levels are categorized as low, medium, and high. 2) All positions within a given ministry are to be assessed for the level of trust involved and the level of risk associated with the position. The level of screening of a volunteer or staff position must meet the level of trust assigned to that ministry. When there is doubt as to the evaluation of a position, the position will be deemed HIGH TRUST. 3) All ministries involving children or youth, as well as ministries that require volunteers to do home visits, are to be categorized as HIGH TRUST. All employees are to be categorized as HIGH TRUST. 4) When drawing up position descriptions for volunteer ministries that involve finances, the most current Diocesan Financial Guidelines are to be followed. Positions where volunteers work directly with money are to be considered HIGH TRUST. Reporting Abuse and/or Inappropriate Conduct Everyone has a responsibility for the welfare of children, seniors, and other vulnerable persons. We also have a responsibility to other volunteers, to our parishes, and to ourselves. If you discover an instance of abuse involving a member of the faith community, you have the responsibility to report it according to the reporting procedures listed below:
1. Reporting Procedures A. In the case of a child or youth under 16 years of age, there are two steps to follow: Step 1: Contact the local Children's Aid Society (CAS) and report the abuse, as required under the Ontario Government's Child and Family Services Act (CFSA) Section 72 – Reporting Requirements. This means that, if a volunteer or lay employee suspects abuse, he or she must report it to the CAS personally and promptly. He or she may ask for assistance but is not to rely on anyone else to make the call.
Step 2: Fill out an incident report according to the instructions outlined in the following section, ‘Documentation of Suspected Abuse and/or Inappropriate Conduct’ of .
Contact the Archbishop’s Delegate at 613-548-4461. Give the Delegate a copy of the incident report you have prepared as soon as possible. The Archbishop’s Delegate will contact/inform all necessary parties and proceed according to current Archdiocesan policies and regulations regulations related to misconduct.
B. In situations of abuse or misconduct related to vulnerable persons over the age of 16: Contact the Archbishop’s Delegate at 613-548-4461. The Delegate will contact/inform all necessary parties and proceed according to current Archdiocesan policies and regulations related to misconduct.
Source: Guidelines for Parish Volunteers and Lay Employees, Archdiocese of Kingston 2016 A Safe Environment Policy for the Archdiocese of Kingston 2021 There are currently 2 members on the Screening Committee (April 15, 2024)
