Code of Conduct (Last reviewed 06/25/07)
Standards of Responsibility and Accountability

 

The following standards of responsibility and accountability respond to Article 6 of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. They are informed by Sacred Scripture, the special commitment associated with the vocation to ordained ministry and the professional criteria for those who dedicate themselves to the care, education and formation or safety of children and young people.

 

1. Ordained and lay ministers are obliged, in the exercise of pastoral care and ministry, to a respect of each person’s dignity so that each individual can take his proper place in building up the community of faith and working for the coming of the kingdom of God.
   
   Parish organizations, meetings, and activities are to be occasions and have environments in which the mutual respect and support of each person’s participation contributes to the growth of justice, charity and peace within the faith community.
2. Ordained and lay ministers are obliged to establish procedures, guidelines and practices that ensure safeguards for the successful completion of responsibilities, for
   the personal reputation of those involved and for the appropriate and required reports, audits or disclosures.
3. Ordained and lay ministers are obliged and accountable for establishing and maintaining proper personal and pastoral boundaries. These boundaries shall include
   the physical, emotional, relational and sexual aspects of interaction with staff and volunteers or in serving others in a pastoral ministry context.
   
   Ordained and lay ministers are the primary and accountable persons for establishing and maintaining personal and pastoral boundaries in all relationships and
   circumstances.
4. Cognizant of the dignity and particular commitments within the sacraments of Marriage and Holy Orders, ordained and lay ministers are never to engage in physical intimacy or sexual contact of any form with those whom they serve.
   5. Ordained and lay ministers are accountable for knowing and applying the practices contained in the personnel, administration, financial handbooks or policies designed for authentic pastoral care and ministry.
5. Ordained and lay ministers are obliged to observe confidentiality in all those matters involving the personal disclosure or reputation of individuals or involving information (electronic, written or spoken) entrusted to them because of their office, position or responsibility, especially when it has a bearing on decisions or actions affecting the lives of others.
   
6. Confidentiality is not binding when information about clear and imminent danger to persons comes to light. Ordained or lay ministers are obliged to inform those at risk or those who know of the endangerment of others about the obligation to report to the appropriate law enforcement authority. They are obliged to notify the appropriate law enforcement authority when they learn such information themselves.
   
   When the circumstances require persons of greater skill or competence to be called upon for assistance in the pastoral circumstance, information may be shared to
   facilitate effective pastoral care and ministry, protecting appropriately the identity and reputation of persons involved.
7. Apart from exceptional circumstances, there can be no release or disclosure of information received or obtained in the course of pastoral care or pastoral ministry
   without written, informed consent of those involved.
8. Priests have a singular and unbreakable obligation to hold all matters received in the Sacrament of Reconciliation in strictest confidentiality. Priests are not permitted to disclose the contents of the sacrament, even with the consent of the penitent.
9. Except for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, all information raising a reasonable cause to believe that physical or sexual abuse of children, young people or vulnerable persons has or is taking place must be reported to law enforcement as soon as possible. A similar report is to be made to the Chancellor of the Archdiocese.
10. Ordained and lay ministers are to be mindful of the obligations and rights of parents and guardians of children and young people. Communication and collaborations with parents and guardians is essential in creating and maintaining safe environments and practices for children and young people when they are entrusted to the care of the Church.

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