Our Lady of the
ARMATUS
PRAESIDIUM PROGRAM
Safe Environments
ª ª ª ª ª ª
The following information outlining the ARMATUS,
PRAESIDIUM Program appears on The Diocese of
Safe Environments refers to environments that are created and
maintained in an effort to provide children, young people, ministers,
and other people with the safest possible place in which to minister, study,
and work. The Diocese of
1. Awareness and Education
In creating any safe environment, awareness
and education are essential. The Diocese has chosen the ARMATUS, PRAESIDIUM Program
entitled Protecting God's Children as one of the avenues for raising awareness
regarding the issue of child sexual abuse and how to prevent
it. This particular program provides a foundational understanding of the
risks, warning signs, and appropriate responses to child sexual abuse. It also
discusses preventive strategies and how to implement them.
All priests, deacons, ministry leaders, and employees and volunteers who
interact with children and teenagers on a regular basis have an obligation to
attend this program and to follow-up with continuing online education by virtue
of the leadership role and/or ministerial position
they have. In addition to the PRAESIDIUM Program, the Diocese has embarked upon
several initiatives to raise awareness and increase education in regard to safe
environments. These initiatives include:
• the writing and distribution of pamphlets,
bulletin inserts, and other educational materials;
• articles in the Four County Catholic;
• postings on the diocesan website (www.norwichdiocese.org);
• other programs and forums determined by the
Office for Safe Environments.
2. The Pastoral Code of Conduct
The Pastoral Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines for all Catholics to
follow in creating and maintaining safe environments.
It also includes provisions for
addressing a lack of compliance with the Pastoral Code of Conduct and referrals in how
to report sexual misconduct.
3. Comprehensive Screening
Comprehensive screening refers to the screening process for employees,
volunteers, and contractors affiliated with the Diocese of Norwich. It
includes:
• a written application form with signed
statement by the employee, volunteer, or contractor;
• checks
of references listed on an application form;
• a personal interview with the employee,
contractor, or volunteer;
• observations of the person's conduct;
• a criminal background check of the
contractor, volunteer, or employee.
4. Sexual Misconduct Policy
The Sexual Misconduct Policy of the Diocese
of Norwich addresses child sexual abuse and other issues of sexual misconduct
by priests, deacons, employees, volunteers, and contractors of the Diocese of
Norwich. It describes how to report allegations of sexual misconduct and how
the Diocese will respond to allegations. This policy complies with the Charter
for the Protection of Children and Young People, which was
drafted by the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops in June of
2002.
5. Practical Matters and Other Concerns
This component addresses practical matters
that arise during awareness and education sessions and the implementation of
comprehensive b screening, the Pastoral Code of Conduct, and other safe
environments measures. Practical matters and concerns include such things as
safe environments conditions of usage for the use of parish facilities by
people outside of the parish and resolving conflicts between diocesan safe
environments policies and other professional codes of ethics and conduct.
Your help is needed!
Creating and
maintaining safe environments for children and young people is not the
responsibility of one or two people.
Each
and every person can
assist in providing safe environments for all of God's children.
Mrs. Mary Gardiner, Our Lady of the
ARMATUS - PRAESIDIUM Program, may be contacted with any question you may have regarding these
programs.
Mrs. Mary Gradiner: telephone number, 848-1303 e-mail address, acg820@aol.com
You may also visit the Diocese of
ª ª ª ª ª ª