Policies

Background on Child Safety Policies

On December 29, 2003, Bishop John B. McCormack released the policy entitled Promise to Protect, Pledge to Heal: The Protection of Children and Young People (Policy) and a Code of Conduct entitled Serving Christ, Serving Others: A Code of Ministerial Conduct (Code). Both documents became effective on March 19, 2004, the Feast of St. Joseph, patron saint of the Diocese of Manchester. After broad consultation, the Code and the Policy were updated, and the updated Policy and Code were made effective on March 19, 2007.

The Policy

Highlights:

  • the establishment of a lay diocesan Safe Environment Council
  • background screening protocols, including criminal records and sex offender registry checks for all church personnel who regularly work with minors
  • training on child sexual abuse awareness, prevention, and reporting

The Code

The Code focuses on general ethical principles that ensure integrity in ministry and the process for handling violations of these principles.