Protocol for Responsible Parish Ministry

Catholics believe that our baptism makes us members of the People of God and members of the faith community we know as the Church. The protection of children and vulnerable persons is part of the very mission of the Church. We are all called to insure that all members of our church community are able to practice their faith in a safe environment, confident that all the faithful are committed to their protection and well being.

To insure the protection of all members of our church community we as a community must insure that there are procedures in place to protect the vulnerable persons in our community. We are called to formalize this procedure to insure that all parishes in the Archdiocese of Regina are providing the same level of protection to the members of their community. The manual is intended to increase the security of those participating in parish activities or receiving services through a ministry, by insuring that the individual providing the service is an appropriate candidate to serve in that ministry.

The Archdiocese of Regina confirms its commitment to oppose (i) sexual abuse in all its forms, (ii) financial abuse, and (iii) the exploitation of vulnerable persons. Our primary concern must be for the victim. The development and implementation of this policy has as its goals, the prevention of sexual abuse, the protection of vulnerable persons, the pastoral care of those wounded by sexual or other abuse; along with the acknowledgment of the legal rights of the accused and the appropriate action toward those who have committed abuse.

In particular, the Archdiocese of Regina, through appropriate intervention and education and the establishment of procedures for risk management, will work toward eliminating sexual abuse, financial abuse, and exploitation of children and vulnerable persons that arise out of positions of trust. Positions of trust can include the relationships that priests, parish ministers, religious, members of the pastoral team, parish employees and volunteers have with parishioners.

The Archdiocese of Regina expects its bishop, priests, deacons, lay personnel and volunteers to live chaste and moral lives; respecting in every way the integrity of others. Sexual abuse, financial abuse, and exploitation of children and vulnerable persons abuse the power and authority of the pastoral role of all who work for and serve the People of God. The primary aim of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan is for all to grow in personal holiness.

The Archdiocese of Regina supports open and frank discussion of the social tragedy of sexual abuse and holds that it is not acceptable to ignore, minimize or cover up instances of sexual abuse. Whenever sexual abuse is reported, appropriate steps must be taken to ensure that it will not reoccur, and to prevent other similar cases.

The Archdiocese of Regina will co-operate with the criminal and civil judicial systems, subject to the inviolability of the Sacramental Seal of Confession.

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Our Protocol manual below can be downloaded in segments - forms can be downloaded individually.

If you wish to be able to fill in the form on your computer, download the Editable Form in Word version, fill in and print it off.

If you wish to be able to print off mulitple copies of the form for your parish, use the PDF version.

Section I

Section II

Step 1 Determing Risk
Step 2 Ministry Position Description
Step 3 Recruitment Procedures
Step 4 Volunteer Information Form Procedure
Step 5 Interview Procedures
Step 6 Reference Check Procedures
Step 7 Criminal Record Check
Step 8 Orientation and Training
Step 9 Supervision and Minister Review Procedures
Step 10 Particpant Follow-up

Screening Protocol
High Security Positions
Strategies for Risk Management
Abuse Reporting Protocol
Resolving Conflict
Rejecting a Volunteer Applicant
Confidentiality
Record Keeping Procedures
Reassigning or Removing a Current Volunteer
Volunteer Appreciation Recognition and Support

Section III

If you wish to be able to fill in the form on your computer, download the Editable Form in Word version, fill in and print it off.

If you wish to be able to print off mulitple copies of the form for your parish, use the PDF version.

Section IV

Section V

In Progress

Section VI

Policy & Procedure For Cases Of Alleged Sexual Abuse Or Misconduct

Section VII – Children and Youth Ministry

What's New

Community Threat Assessment and Support Protocol

Last updated on April 20, 2017

COMMUNITY THREAT ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT PROTOCOL

APRIL 10 2017

Violent events in schools are often predicted in advance by students threatening before carrying out acts of violence.

To react quickly and in an organized way to that threat is behind the Regina Human Services Partnership Community Threat and Assessment Protocol signed April 10 by representatives of the partnership. The Protocol is called a collaborative response to student threat-making behaviours. Regina Public and Catholic School Divisions, Regina Police Service, Ministry of Social Services, Qu’Appelle Health Region Child and Youth Services, Ministry of Justice, Corrections and Policing, Regina Open Door Society, Regina Fire and Protective Services and City of Regina Community Services make up the current partnership but more could be added when training is competed.

Regina Police Chief Evan Bray said the Protocol is important because it formalizes a partnership that already exists. “...

Keeping the Protocol Requirements Up to Date

Last updated on January 31, 2017

We have had a number of questions about whose responsibility it is to have the Adult Volunteer Information Form completed by new people to ministries. It continues to be the responsibility of the Parish Volunteer Screening Committee. Each year the committee needs to review, in coordination with the Pastor and Office staff, who needs to complete forms for General Security or High Security.

The committee members then go to the parishioners starting new ministries to complete the necessary forms. All new volunteers need to complete the Adult Volunteer Information Form. If the person is doing a High Security ministry, they also need to obtain 2 references, need to be interviewed and need to obtain a Criminal Record Check. If a person has completed these forms for another ministry, they do not have to complete them again.

It is also important to check each year who needs a new Criminal Record Check. Remember they are only good for 5 years. Check your list to be...

CARES Community

Last updated on January 17, 2017

CARES - Community supporting Victims of Clergy Sexual Abuse

For further information contact: thehealingcommunity@gmail.com

Event begins on July 4, 2017

Repeats every week every Tuesday until Tue Dec 19 2017.

Christmas Greetings

Last updated on December 21, 2015

As coordinators for the Protocol for Responsible Parish Ministry, Leona and I want to thank all of the Parish Volunteer Screening Committees for doing such a great job. Most parishes have completed or are very close to completing the process.

We are proud of all of the parishioners in the Archdiocese of Regina who understand the importance of doing whatever is necessary to protect our children, elderly and vulnerable. We often forget that the goal is also to protect our volunteers so that they can feel comfortable participating in ministries that God has called them to do. Leona and I are saying special prayers for all of you that you continue to enjoy sharing your gifts with your parish communities.

God bless all of you. Enjoy Christmas with your family and friends and have a Blessed New Year.

Come!!

Last updated on September 10, 2015

As I was struggling with what to blog about I looked up and saw the following quote on my calendar:

"The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." Revelation 22:17

A lovely quote imprinted on a beautiful sunset picture. It is a beautiful day here in Regina and a good day to be thankful for what we have. We are quite fortunate to live in Canada and enjoy the benefits.

September is shaping up to be a very busy month. Everyone goes into start up mode. Just check out your bulletin board at church or the ARchdiocesan calendar-busy, busy, busy!!

Hopefully we will see many or all of you at the Annual Appeal Kickoff Wednesday, Sept 23 2015.

Until then take care and remember to SMILE!!

Did You Smile at Church this Weekend?

Last updated on August 4, 2015

One of the strongest recommendation for encouraging people to come to your parish is by creating a warm and welcoming environment.

Think of yourself. If the service was good and the people were pleasant you will go back to the business. If you go to an event and you had a good time you will plan to go back again. If the parking was awful, no one was there to assist you, and nobody smiled or said good morning/afternoon, we will probably not go back.

Ask yourself if you would even recommend this event or place to your friends. In a social setting, would you speak favourably or would it be a list to stories of where not to go.

What was your parish like this weekend? Did people actually turn around and smile at a stranger or regular parishioner?

Looking through the lens of a visitor to your parish, the question becomes: "Would you come back?"

If the answer is no, what can you do to fix it?

It is a Beautiful Day

Last updated on June 9, 2015

The weather is beautiful. Hot and sunny!! Saskatchewan is beautiful and we can once again water our lawns in Regina.

I had the privilege to attend a Confirmation and First Eucharist Celebration on the weekend. The children were so excited to receive the Body of Christ and the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Fifty years after Vatican II, it is still important to the parents to have their young girls dressed in beautiful white dresses. The veils are gone, replaced with flowers and bows. The young lads were decked out in shirts and times and dress pants. The parents and godparents were also decked out in their finest.
The celebration itself was solemn and reverent and filled with joy.

It was a joy to know that receiving the sacraments is still considered extremely special and a great honour by many of our young families.

I too left will with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

On the Road Again

Last updated on May 12, 2015

Good day to everyone!

The sun has returned so it is looking like it will continue to be a beautiful day.

Last spring and summer there were approximately 30 parishes that were beginning the protocol process.
Our contract for the this position finishes at the end of June, so we will be attempting to complete an audit in each of these parishes before that date.
Sharon and I are looking forward to travelling through southern Saskatchewan again. The landscape is beautiful and each parish has it own natural beauty and personality. We enjoy meet parishioners and pastors and hopefully are being of assistance to the parishes.

In a booklet called "10 Things Pope Francis Wants You to Know" by John L. Allen, Jr. the last three items are Never Given in to Pessimism, Have a Sense of Humour, and The Importance of Unity. The value of lowering our defenses and offering human warmth, in search of real unity beneath equally real difference is a core element of Pope...

The Need to be Diligent

Last updated on March 4, 2015

The headlines in the media continue to reinforce the need to be vigilant in thoroughly screening our volunteers. Especially those volunteers who are working with our vulnerable parishoners. Although no method can guarantee 100% the 'goodness' of any individual, it helps. References, one on one interviews and criminal record checks combined can provide some sense of security. Life has shown that shortcuts are not acceptable and that we really do not know everyone. Once the screening as occurred knowledge and vilgilance help us to continue to ensure safety.

In the protocol office we have several resources that assist with all aspects of developing and maintaining a safe environment.

We are only an email or phone call away.

FABULOUS YOUTH MINISTERS

Last updated on January 20, 2015

A diverse group of 6 youth ministers or pastoral assistants from Churches in Regina met this morning to learn about organizing youth programs. The interactive workshop discussed topics such as abuse disclosures to registration forms to medication documentation. The parish representatives deal with a wide range of youth and activities. on an ongoing basis. It was exciting to see the numbers involved and the types of programs offered. Answers were provided to questions regarding specific sites. We had planned for 90 minutes but the questions and interest kept us engaged for 120 minutes. Hopefully these parishes are now comfortable with the processes. We are also available to assist with the training of the volunteers in the parishes.

The awareness of these individuals strenghthens the protection we can offer our youth and our volunteers.