Screening

Responsible Ministry: Screening in Faith was launched in 2003 to help parishes make sure their places of ministry are safe and healthy, especially for vulnerable children and adults who come to them in trust. As we respond to our call to offer our best to those we serve, we need to discern gifts and determine a person’s suitability to a ministry position.

We’re abundantly blessed with gifted and committed clergy, employees and volunteers who offer their talents in full recognition of their obligations. The Church couldn’t operate without the work of thousands of individuals throughout this Diocese who exercise a variety of ministries to people within the Church community and beyond.

We need to make sure those in positions of power and trust are selected, trained and supported so their ministry may be life-giving. In this way, our Christian values are consistent with the legal concept of “duty of care.” Duty of care arises out of legal doctrines dealing with negligence. Everyone has a general obligation to conduct themselves in a way that doesn’t cause damage to other people or their property. The duty of care is most obvious where a relationship of dependence exists.

These pages will help you understand and implement the screening policy in your parish: