Charter Requires All To Sign Pastoral Code of Conduct
 

Ensuring safe environments for children depends on various components and the cooperation of everyone in our parishes, schools and offices.

Along with background checks and VIRTUS safe environment training, all Diocesan clergy, staff and volunteers are required to sign a Pastoral Code of Conduct. The code spells out very clearly how we are to conduct ourselves when working or volunteering with children.

The Pastoral Code of Conduct is a requirement of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People enacted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Conference annually audits dioceses to confirm they are complying with the Charter, and this year the audits will emphasize the Pastoral Code of Conduct.

For Charter compliance, a signed Pastoral Code of Conduct is needed from all clergy, employees and volunteers working with children. The signed codes should be kept in the compliance binder along with copies of each individual’s clearances. A printer friendly version of the Code can be found on the Diocesan website (www.dioceseofscranton.org) by clicking on the “Compliance Office” link in the green bar on the homepage.

In addition to maintaining copies from previous years, pastors, school principals and department heads are reminded to obtain signed codes from new employees and volunteers.

For assistance or any questions concerning the Pastoral Code of Conduct or the Charter compliance, please call Gail Fromm at 207-2214 or 877-5965.