The Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis now has four codes of conduct to enhance its safe environment policies.
The code of conduct for clergy covers both the elements of the code of conduct for Church personnel as well as issues specific to priests, such as information they receive during confessions. Codes of conduct also are in place for adult employees and volunteers, and for youth employees and volunteers who interact with minors or vulnerable adults.
The codes of conduct are one of three elements of the archdiocese’s “Essential 3” requirements that all archdiocesan, parish and Catholic school employees, as well as all volunteers who interact with minors or vulnerable adults, must meet. Safe environment training and a background check also are required.
At an Aug. 19 meeting for pastors and Catholic school leaders, Director of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment Tim O’Malley reviewed the code of conduct for Church personnel and its objectives, addressing practical implementation approaches for leaders.
This summer, the archdiocese began rolling out its “Enhanced Essential 3,” which requires safe environment re-training, a background re-check and re-signing of the appropriate code of conduct every three years. The enhanced requirements will be phased in over the next two years and eliminate “lifetime credentials,” said Mary Kane, director of the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth.
OPCY also implemented an online program for parishes and schools to track “Essential 3” requirements through the VIRTUS website. All of the archdiocese’s safe environment policies and codes of conduct are listed on its website.
