Responsible Ministry Protocol
Diocesan Policy on the Prevention of Violence Toward Vulnerable Persons
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. (Luke 10:1)
The Archdiocese of Moncton has in place a policy which states that all groups of children and young people under 18 years of age gathering for catechesis or youth activities will need two adults present during sessions, to ensure the protection of children and catechists or youth ministers. This policy has come into being upon the recommendation of our insurance company. Our society today has forced us to become more conscious that protection of our children is not always as it should be.
With respect to catechetics, there are choices on how this can be implemented:
- each catechist could have an assistant or just someone to sit in on the gathering each week
- two catechists could team up and alternate each week as presenter and helper
- parents of children in each group will be scheduled to rotate weeks and take turns attending the sessions
In the latter case, a schedule would then be drawn up and it would be the responsibility of the parent to make arrangements if they could not attend at their given time.
Anything which will ensure the safety of our children is of paramount importance to their parents and this diocese, so we know that we will receive full support from parents for this initiative. We wish to thank you for your continued involvement in the faith life of your children.
For further information please refer to:
Diocesan Policy on the Prevention of Violence Toward Vulnerable Persons (PDF)
Worthy of Trust Pamphlet (PDF)
Canadian Reporting System for Sexual Abuse or Cover-up by a Catholic Bishop (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions about the Canadian Reporting System for Sexual Abuse or Cover-up by a Catholic Bishop (PDF)