Code of Pastoral Conduct
- Preface
- Preamble
- Responsibility
- Pastoral Standards
- Conduct
- Confidentiality
- Conduct with Minors
- Sexual Conduct
- Harassment
- Records & Information
- Conflicts of Interest
- Reporting & Disclosure
- Administration
- Staff & Volunteer Well-Being
- Volunteer Conduct
Sexual Misconduct Policy
- Definitions
- Personnel
- Legal Guidelines
- Education
- Policy Distribution
- Background Checks
- Reporting & Investigating Allegations
- Reports of Harassment
- False Accusations
Appendices
- Policies & Procedures of the Review Board
- Code of Conduct
- Cue Card for Reporting Abuse
- Implementation
- Parish Checklist
Code of Pastoral Conduct & Sexual Misconduct Policy
APPENDIX II
ARCHDIOCESAN CODE OF CONDUCT
Our children are the most important gifts God has entrusted to us. I promise to strictly follow the rules and guidelines in this Code of Conduct as a condition of my providing services to minors of our diocese.
I will:
- treat everyone with respect, loyalty, patience, integrity, courtesy, dignity, and consideration.
- avoid situations where I am alone with a minor at Church and school activities.
- use positive reinforcement rather than criticism, competition, or comparison when working with minors.
- refuse to accept expensive gifts from minors or their parents without prior written approval from the pastor or administrator.
- refrain from giving expensive gifts to minors without prior written approval from the parents or guardian and the pastor or administrator.
- If a minor discloses information to me, as a volunteer, I may report this myself or I will report it to my supervisor (pastor, administrator) so that the supervisor can report the disclosure to the Office of Children’s Services (OCS). As a volunteer, I understand that I am not mandated to make the report to OCS and understand that the supervisor is expected to report this information about abuse.
- cooperate fully in any investigation of abuse of minors.
I will not:
- smoke or use tobacco products in the presence of minors.
- use, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol at any time while volunteering.
- use, possess, or be under the influence of illegal drugs at any time.
- pose any health risk to minors (i.e., no fevers or other contagious situations).
- strike, spank, shake, or slap minors.
- humiliate, ridicule, threaten, or degrade minors.
- touch a minor in a sexual or other inappropriate manner.
- use any discipline that frightens or humiliates minors.
- use profanity in the presence of minors.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Code of Conduct/Sexual Misconduct Policy
I understand that as a priest, deacon, pastoral administrator, staff or volunteer working with children and/or youth, I am subject to a thorough background check including criminal history. I also understand that any action inconsistent with this Code of Conduct or failure to take action mandated by this Code of Conduct may result in my removal as a volunteer with children and/or youth. I know too that I am responsible for reading and following the Sexual Misconduct Policy of the Archdiocese of Anchorage (2004 revision).
Printed Name & Date
Signature
Parish
