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Ethics and
Integrity for Church Personnel
This
page updated: February 16, 2009
Information
on Acceptance Certificate for Service: click
here
Policies
implementing the Charter:
Information
on the Ethics and Integrity Program:
Click here for a
list
of certified trainers and see FAQs above for more information
on trainers and training.
What
do we do to get ACS for new employees and volunteers that
will minster to minors?
If
you are a victim, or know a victim:
The
Diocese of Tyler is committed to provide help to anyone who
may have been hurt or abused by a priest, deacon, religious,
or anyone working in the name of the Church. The
Promoter of Justice, Rev.
Gavin N. Vaverek, serves as our victim assistance coordinator,
confidential phone line (903) 266-2159.
Additional
Help for Victims:
Besides
contacting the Promoter of Justice for the Diocese of Tyler,
there are also other groups to provide assistance to those
abused by priests, deacons, or religious. One such group
is Survivors
Network for those Abused by Priests, a support group headed
by recovering survivors of abuse by clergy. There are
also some more specialized groups, such as: The
Regain Network for victims of abuse of any kind by the
Legion of Christ and the Regnum Christi. Mothers
Against Sexual Abuse is another group.
The Maria
Goretti Network offers support to victims of any type
of abuse, not just abuse in the Church. Its focus is
on healing through Christ and the Sacraments.
All
programs in the Diocese of Tyler are expected to be in compliance
with these policies and guidelines on Ethics and Integrity.
(November 1, 2003 officially ended the
grace period for implementing the policies)
Documents:
All
Church personnel, including volunteers who minister to minors,
must have an Acceptance Certificate for
Service (ACS) issued from the Diocese of Tyler.
Do
we have to cancel programs if some volunteers ACS have not
been approved yet?
The person
responsible for a program that involves minors is to ensure
that only persons with their ACS come into contact with minors.
Hence, as of November 1, 2003, any volunteers who have not
yet been granted their ACS, can not be allowed to come into
contact with minors. This may result in some rescheduling
of planned events or some adjustments (such as combining CCD
classes) to ensure that there is a safe environment for our
young people. In such a case, the Pastor should be informed
immediately. It is important that the Pastor and the person
responsible for any program affected communicate with parish
families in a positive manner that the Bishops in the United
States have taken seriously their responsibility to create
a safe environment for our young people and we are sorry for
any inconvenience. Our parish communities should be aware
that all volunteers have had since June 1, to complete a simple
three hour training program, commit to the Code of Ethics,
and complete a background check.
As always, concerns
can be addressed to the Promoter of Justice, 903 266-2159
or promoter@dioceseoftyler.org
or Mr. Jim Smith in the Business Office 903 266-2138
Further
Reading:
Auditors completed
review of Diocese of Tyler's compliance with the Charter and
Norms governing sexual abuse of minors. They found our Policy for Ethics
and Integrity for Church Personnel, to be in compliance
and they commended the Code of Ethics
for all Church Personnel in the Diocese of Tyler. We
were audited in 2004 & 2005.
Report
concerns of conduct of Church Personnel to::
Rev. Gavin N. Vaverek, JCL, (903) 266-2159, Promoter of Justice
Training
opportunities:
Basic training
(3 hours for employees, DRE, Catechists, etc.)
Re-Certification
training
Awareness
Training
(30 minute video training) for those who minister to minors
but who not supervise them.
These sessions are
scheduled by each school or parish.
In
Case of Possible Child Abuse in Texas:
Web
Resources:
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