Document Archive

The Catholic Standard and Times
Lou Baldwin, Staff Reporter

Protecting God's Children Awareness Sessions
26 February 2004

Seventy-two parishes throughout the Archdiocese will host Protecting God’s Children Awareness Sessions this spring, according to Evelyn Brannan Tarpey, archdiocesan coordinator of the Safe Environment Program.

St. Peter Claver Evangelization Center and the Archdiocesan Office Center will serve as additional sites.

The Protecting God’s Children Awareness Sessions are a part of the Safe Environment Program instituted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Young People. The sessions cover the prevention of child sex abuse, the signs of child abuse and the actions that must be taken when child abuse is suspected.

“ It is the goal of the staff of the Safe Environment Office to schedule training sessions at convenient times and locations,” said Father Gerard C. Mesure, canonical and legal adviser to the Safe Environment Program. “We are mindful that people have other responsibilities in addition to their service to youth in the Church.”

The Protection of God’s Children Awareness Sessions were developed with the belief that knowledge creates safety, Tarpey said. Information is provided concerning the nature and extent of child sexual abuse and ways to prevent it.

“Those who attend the training sessions are reminded of their role as adults in our Church to be protectors of children, models of appropriate behavior and relationships and advocates of those who are most vulnerable. They are asked to consider how what they have learned in the awareness session will strengthen their service to the youth of their parish,” Tarpey said.

Everyone in attendance will receive a copy of the Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries, a written code of conduct for all adults involved in ministry and service in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. They are asked to take the Standards home, to read them and then sign a form which states that they understand and agree to abide by them, Tarpey explained.

“People are encouraged to review the policies, ask how these follow the Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries and foster a safe environment and make changes when necessary.”

Pastors, with the assistance of their parish staff and the leaders of parish organizations, are working to put the requirements of safe environment, mandated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Young People, in place, she said. They are making certain all clergy, and those members of parish staff and volunteers who have regular contact with children are obtaining the required background checks and are attending the awareness sessions.

“After attending this training, clergy, parish staff and volunteers will return to their parish with new insights and ideas and work together to keep the children entrusted to their care safe.”

For more information, go to virtus.org, make up a “user ID” such as your name, and register by selecting your organization and then choosing “Archdiocese of Philadelphia.” Use the password “trust.” Or call the Safe Environment Office at (215) 587-2466.