Ethics &
Integrity in Ministry
Diocese of
The Catholic
As volunteers, paid
staff, religious and clergy who serve the Catholic Diocese of
Our diocesan policies, Ethics and Integrity in Ministry, are
rooted in the Catholic understanding that each individual must be respected and
honored. Jesus had a deep, abiding
respect for each human being and would not harm or mislead anyone in their
personal or spiritual life. We must
attempt to do likewise. Our policies
cover four areas of possible harm:
immoral conduct, exploitation, harassment, and abuse.
Asking for your help
Our policies, Ethics and Integrity in Ministry, are available
in their entirety at www.austindiocese.org, or a paper copy may be obtained
from your parish or school office.
Please take the time to read these policies so that you may
understand your role in upholding them.
The policies also provide procedures for reporting any
suspicions of abuse or other violations of the policies.
It is a state law that anyone who suspects abuse of a minor
must report it to local law enforcement officials.
Protecting God's
Children
Anyone---volunteers, paid staff, religious or
clergy---involved in a ministry with minors (those under the age of 18) or
vulnerable adults (those who are uniquely vulnerable to abuse because of
physical or mental disabilities) is required to:
1.
Submit a Parish Volunteer Application
to the Diocese of
2.
Agree to a criminal background check
3.
Attend a workshop on "Protecting
God's Children," a seminar on child sexual abuse.
The Parish Volunteer Application
is completed on a secure web site. Go
to www.austindiocese.org
and, in the upper corner, click on the link for "eAppsDB" (formerly
"Datorum Applicatium"). The form will ask for personal
information; employment, educational and volunteer history; five references and
their contact information and approval to conduct a criminal record check.
Information from this application will only be available to designated parish
staff and the diocesan Chancellor and Bishop.
If you do not have access to the Internet, please contact
our office for a paper copy of the Volunteer Application. You need only complete
the application once, regardless of your involvement in multiple parishes or
schools in the diocese.
The criminal background check will be completed by the
Diocese, based on information provided by you. The results will be held confidentially.
The Diocese will conduct a criminal background check every three years for
every individual in a ministry for minors or vulnerable adults.
"Protecting God's Children" is a nationally developed
program that helps parents, volunteers, and staff understands the nature of
pedophilia and how to keep our churches and schools as safe environments for
our children. The workshop is scheduled
on a regular basis at various locations throughout the diocese. Check on the diocesan web site at
www.austindiocese.org or with the school office for current workshop
dates. There is no fee for the workshop,
although advance registration is usually required.
For more information:
Contact either the Chancellor of the Diocese or the diocesan
Director of Human Resources (512)476-4888.
All information received is held confidentially and will only be used to
implement the diocese's Ethics and Integrity in Ministry policies.
These policies have been put into place after extensive
research, discussion, and much reflection.
Statistics show that, while clergy sexual misconduct
receives the most media attention, about half of all abuse perpetrated in
parishes is done so by volunteers.
Ensuring personal
integrity
We highly value the many volunteers who, through their
generous giving of their time, talent, and treasure, enrich our communities and
serve our children. Our policies ensure
that their personal integrity is not questioned and that all of us are taking
seriously our responsibility to shelter from harm those most vulnerable among
us, especially our children and vulnerable adults.
Thank you for being a
part of our family of faith.
Thank you for
bringing to our family, your gifts and talents -- which include your gifts of
Christian ethics and personal integrity.
Together, we will
continue the mission of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Diocese of
The Catholic
(512)476-4888
www.austindiocese.org