SAFE ENVIRONMENTS  Sixth in a series of articles

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We've already covered Awareness Training and Background Checks as two of the three practical steps that we must take as a parish to implement the Diocesan Safe Environment Initiative. Today, the third component that will be asked of every employee, contract employee and volunteer: Receipt and Sign-off on the Diocesan Policy on Sexual Misconduct.

Perhaps I should have covered this component first among the three, since the Policy is the document that specifies our responsibilities and .governs our efforts and to create a Safe Environment in all of our Catholic parishes, schools and institutions in the Diocese of Bridgeport. I've chosen to address it last because the other two components have raised more questions and immediate. concerns among our people. Hopefully we've gotten - those anxieties taken care of, and now we'll all be in a better position to appreciate the content and the importance of the Policy.

As the governing document for these efforts, the Policy is a rather lengthy legal document that covers definitions, obligations, rights and responsibilities, procedures, victim assistance, etc_ A companion piece is also in the works, a "Code of Conduct" that is less legal and more personal in tone, calling upon each of us (clergy, employees, volunteers) to pledge ourselves to personal conduct that is always in keeping with the best of our Catholic moral and ethical tradition. 'The "Code" will also contain helpful practical recommendations to minimize the possibility of questionable conduct or even the appearance of impropriety .

Each member of the clergy, every employee and volunteer will be given copies of these documents so that we all know what is expected of each - of us and how we can help one another to be faithful and accountable in these matters. Each document also carries with it an "Acknowledgment of Receipt" that the recipient is to sign, certifying that one has received and read the document and agrees to personal conduct in keeping with the terms of the document.                                                .

Next week: Some practical details