Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, Vermont

Mission:

Relationships among people are the foundation of Christian ministry and are central to Church life. Defining healthy and safe relationships is not meant, in any way, to undermine the strength and importance of personal contact or the ministerial role. Rather, it is to assist all who fulfill the many roles that create the living Church to demonstrate their love and compassion for children and adults in the most sincere and genuine relationships.

Safe Environment News

History

Dating back to 1995 the initiatives of the Diocese of Burlington provided education to adults regarding safety measures to protect children and young people under the program Walking in the Light: A Pastoral Response to Child Sexual Abuse as produced and disseminated by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Diocesan efforts to comply with the USCCB’s “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” begin in 2003, under the direction of the Misconduct Review Board.

2003-2005 Research and Development Program – All volunteer staff

In May, 2005, the Office of Safe Environment is established, with Kevin P. Scully appointed program director.

Over this four-year period, the Diocese of Burlington implements programs to familiarize its members with the “Expectations and Responsibilities presented by the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People”:

Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington adopts Virtus and Child Lures Programs
“Formation in Christian Chastity” implemented throughout the Diocese through parish religious education programs.
Orientation and instruction for use of “Child Lures Prevention” implemented in Catholic schools. Child Lures Program Developer, Ken Wooden, conducts various training presentations in our Diocese.
Facilitator training for parish presenters of “Protecting God’s Children” underway. This acclaimed program has been developed by the National Catholic Risk Retention Services.
Office of Safe Environment develops “Shield the Vulnerable,” an online law-based program. Law Room of San Francisco, California, tailored the program to specifically address Vermont law. 1637 participants.
Statistical Information:
- 106 priests, 41 deacons, 304 educators, 210 diocesan employees, 3500 volunteers and others, and in excess of 300 parents.
- Approximately 2000 people are involved in ongoing education online using the Virtus Program.
- 1500 criminal records checks conducted of personnel working with our children. (Since implementation of the program, OSE has made over 3000 such inquiries.)
- July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007, Diocese of Burlington attains full compliance with the USCCB “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.”
- 2008 ParishSoft Safe Environment Management Program designed for the Diocese and used in the parishes to maintain current information regarding qualifications of volunteers and paid personnel to serve children in the Diocese.