Diocese of San Angelo Policies on Ethics and Integrity in Ministry Effective date: June 1, 2003 Revised: November 15, 2016 This document is available on the Diocesan Website, www.sanangelodiocese.org Policies on Ethics and Integrity in Ministry Diocese of San Angelo 2 Table of Contents A Letter from Our Bishop .................................................................................................................................................. 5 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 I. Principles of Ethics and Integrity in Ministry: Code of Ethics ............................................................... 7 II. General Definitions ......................................................................................................................................... 8 A. Church Personnel ............................................................................................................................. 8 B. Types of Misconduct ........................................................................................................................ 8 Section One: Policies for the Protection of Children and Young People ......................................................................... 9 III. Overview of Policies for the Protection of Children and Young People .................................................. 9 A. Definitions of “Minor” and “Sexual Abuse” ................................................................................. 9 B. Commitments of the Diocese ........................................................................................................ 10 C. Other Forms of Mistreatment or Neglect ..................................................................................... 10 IV. To Promote Healing and Reconciliation with Victims of Sexual Abuse .................................................. 10 A. The Victim Assistance Coordinator .............................................................................................. 10 B. The Diocesan Review Board ....................................................................................................11 V. To Guarantee an Effective Response to Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minor .................................... 12 A. Standards of Ministerial Behavior ................................................................................................ 12 B. Appropriate Boundaries for Church Personnel ........................................................................... 13 C. Diocesan Communications Policy ................................................................................................ 14 D. Reporting Inappropriate Behaviors or Policy Violations with Minors ....................................16 E. Reporting Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors ...................................................................17 F. Procedures When Sexual Abuse Is Admitted or Established ..................................................... 21 1. For Volunteers 2. For Employees 3. For Priests or Deacons VI. To Protect the Faithful in the Future ....................................................................................................... 22 A. Safe Environment Education and Training .................................................................................. 22 B. Supervision of Church Personnel Who Work with Minors ..................................................... 22 C. Screening of Church Personnel Who Work with Minors......................................................... 23 D. Provisions for Visiting Church Personnel .................................................................................... 24 1. Youth Events 2. Priests and Deacons 3. Other Visiting Church Personnel E. Provisions for Children & Youth Photos/Video in the Media...................................... 26 1. General Guidelines 2. Social Networking 3. Electronic Communications Section Two: Immoral Conduct, Harassment and Exploitation .................................................................................... 28 VII. Prevention of Immoral Conduct: Guidelines for Ethical and Moral Behavior ...................................... 28 A. Definitions ....................................................................................................................................... 28 B. Standards of the Diocese ............................................................................................................... 28 VIII. Prevention of Harassment: Guidelines for Professionalism ..................................................................... 29 Policies on Ethics and Integrity in Ministry Diocese of San Angelo 3 A. Definitions ....................................................................................................................................... 29 B. Standards of the Diocese ............................................................................................................... 29 IX. Prevention of Exploitation: Guidelines for Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction .........................................................................................................................................................30 A. Definitions .......................................................................................................................................30 B. Standards of the Diocese................................................................................................................30 C. Confidentiality ................................................................................................................................30 X. Reporting Immoral Conduct, Harassment, or Exploitation ......................................................................31 A. Standards .........................................................................................................................................31 B. Reporting Procedures .....................................................................................................................31 C. Dealing with Infractions ................................................................................................................32 Section Three: Children / Youth Peer Behavior ..................................................................................................................33 XI. Safe Environment in Children / Youth Peer Relationships ........................................................................33 A. Standards of Behavior ....................................................................................................................33 B. Reporting Procedures .....................................................................................................................33 C. Reporting Procedure Sequence .....................................................................................................34 D. Disciplinary Measures....................................................................................................................35 E. Healing, Reconciliation, and Liability ..........................................................................................35 Conclusion: The Church’s Pastoral Response to Misconduct in Ministry .................................................................36 A. Care of the Victim and/or the One Who Brings the Allegation .................................................36 B. Care of Church Personnel Accused of Misconduct ....................................................................36 C. Care of the Community Affected by Misconduct .......................................................................37 Appendices……………………………………………………………………………………………………….………..…..38 A. Application Form for Employees and Volunteers .......................................................................... 38 B. Code of Ethics .......................................................................................................................... 42 C. Process for Responding to Inappropriate Behaviors or Policy Violations with Minors by Church Personnel ................................................................................................43 D. Confidential Notice of Concern ....................................................................................................44 E. Formal Warning Document ...........................................................................................................45 F. Progressive Discipline Procedure .................................................................................................46 G. Procedures for Allegations Against Clergy ..................................................................................48 H. Statement of Episcopal Commitment ...........................................................................................55 I. Children / Youth Behavior Incident Report ............................................................................. 56 J. Parish Input Form ...........................................................................................................................57 K. Diocesan Guidelines for Expected Peer Behavior for Children and Youth ................................. 58 L. Diocese of San Angelo Promotional Release Form…………………………………..59 Note: