THE GOAL Working together to keep our parish children safe
Safity is a priority at St.Francis De Sales Parish & St. Andrew Parish. We are committed to being a welcoming and safe place for children to grow in knowledge and love of God. To this end our community works in collaboration with the Office of Safe Environments of the Diocese of Calgary offering a spicific training that consists of video segments, questions, and a review of diocesan policies.
This page is offered as a resource to all who wish to be a part of this collaboration. All priests (locally based or visiting, or member of a religious order) and deacons; all parish staff; all school personnel; and all volunteers in any kind of ministry of our Parish who interact with minors or potentially interact with them must be trained.
If You
CHOOSE
to talk about it...
We're here for you. You are probably visiting this page because you are affected by the news of sexual abuse of minors in the Church and some Church leaders' total abandonment of their role to protect, the vulnerable, especially children. Perhaps, these past few days have caused you some distress from conflicted emotions or painful memories. Perhaps you find it difficult to cope with how you feel. Perhaps you are a sexual abuse survivor, a relative or a friend of someone who was abused. Perhaps you know about an abuse committed against someone and you never felt able to do anything about it. Perhaps you have sexually abused someone and the burden of this secret is unbearable. Whatever your situation, you can choose to talk about it! Talk to someone you trust or call our toll-free number to help you take the first step to break the cycle of silence. Call 1-833-547-8360.
Protecting Children and the Vulnerable
Screening
All clergy, employees and volunteers serving minors and vulnerable adults must provide Vulnerable Sector Police Information checks. Intervention Record checks must be provided for those serving minors and vulnerable adults overnight. Finally, a defined process of interviews and reference checks help affirm a candidate for ministries considered high risk.
Training
All clergy, employees and volunteers are required to participate in orientation and Safe Environment training.
Model of Condact
This code of conduct creates the structure to develop and implement uniform guidelines for appropriate behaviour of all religious and lay persons involved in ministries and other activities.
Committee on Sexual Misconduct and Abuse
The Diocese has had a committee in place for several years. The committee comprises representatives from the community who have professional and clinical experience.
Policy & Procedures
Vision
Pastoral Letters
Bishop's Delegate
Fr. Tim Boyle
His Role
A Bishop's Delegate is the bishop's representative who follows through all allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct dealing with clergy. He demonstrates the Bishop's obligation and concern for truth, justice and healing in these cases.