My parish is doing a complete background check on me

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I am volunteering to help with the Children’s Liturgy at my parish. Yesterday, I was given a big package with all kinds of forms. I need 2 references with extensive writen information on what my references think of me in terms of working with children, etc. I had to fill out a police background check form. I also had to fill out a contractual form with my parish to apply for a volunteer position and they will be scheduling me for an interview.

I am so glad they are doing this. I know it’s a little crazy that I have to spend a week filling out forms to do occassional volunteer work, but because I am working with children, it is definitely necessary and important.

Is this the norm? I live in Canada.

I guess it’s also a sign of the times 😦
 
Yes, it is very normal. Here you would also be required to attend a class (runs about 4 hours long) to teach about child abuse, how to spot it, etc.
 
Its the norm here in the UK too. When I worked with young kids (in a secular capacity) I had to undergo what is called a Full Disclosure on an annual basis which involves an investigation by the police. Sign of the times.
 
Yeah, I had to do this. Only the cleared people can do certain ministries.
 
Our school and parish requires fingerprinting, background checks, and child safety classes…
Very normal! 🙂
 
We have to re-do ours every three years. It’s the norm in most places.
 
It is normal. I had background checked and formed filled out which was longer than any forms that I did in the past for different job. This is a requirement from our diocese. We also needed to attend some workshop.
 
We have to do it too for any volunteer position. I do find it odd that they are putting such restrictions on the laity for a scandal perpetrated by the clergy, but I’m sure it’s good in the long run. If only we had the assurance that the bishops were as tough on their priests. Some are, I believe, but some are still getting caught doing the same stupid things. I guess it’s a good day to ask for Our Lady’s intercession for purity in our Church.
 
Did y’all read about the couple who were suing the school that required them to show their drivers license so it could be scanned to check against the sex offender registration list? Said “it violated their constitutional rights.” Puhleese.
 
Nanny_PK said:
Did y’all read about the couple who were suing the school that required them to show their drivers license so it could be scanned to check against the sex offender registration list? Said “it violated their constitutional rights.” Puhleese.
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Red flag!

I’m glad they are doing a background check on me. I am a survivor of childhood abuse, so I know that people who would be least suspected of child abuse, could in fact have a history of it.

I feel much more at ease also because I have a little girl who will likely be involved in the parish as she gets older.
 
Serap said:
I am volunteering to help with the Children’s Liturgy at my parish. Yesterday, I was given a big package with all kinds of forms. I need 2 references with extensive writen information on what my references think of me in terms of working with children, etc. I had to fill out a police background check form. I also had to fill out a contractual form with my parish to apply for a volunteer position and they will be scheduling me for an interview.

I am so glad they are doing this. I know it’s a little crazy that I have to spend a week filling out forms to do occassional volunteer work, but because I am working with children, it is definitely necessary and important.

Is this the norm? I live in Canada.

I guess it’s also a sign of the times 😦
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It’s the norm in dioceses/parishes that are smart, but not every parish/diocese in Canada is smart – so far, at least in this respect, ours isn’t and it drives me crazy.

If you were to join Scouts, Guides, etc you would be expected to submit to such a scrutiny. In Scouts it’s every year, since they don’t carry your info forward from one year to the other, or at least they don’t in my province.
 
Serap said:
Red flag!

I’m glad they are doing a background check on me. I am a survivor of childhood abuse, so I know that people who would be least suspected of child abuse, could in fact have a history of it.

I feel much more at ease also because I have a little girl who will likely be involved in the parish as she gets older.
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But this type of check only picks up those who have a police file. I’ve known some to have a 20 year history of abuse before their name surfaced in an investigation. It’s a good start but not a reason to let down your guard where your daughter is concerned.
 
it is certainly the norm in the US and only a couple of dioceses are out of compliance, that any employee or volunteer whose work for the Church will bring them in even casual contact with children will undergo a criminal background check, child safety training, and sign a code of ethical conduct. period. Will it eliminate every threat to a child? no of course not. But it is prescribed by the loss prevention experts retained by the bishops and their insurers, so it must be done. Your references will also be checked, the key question that will be asked is: Is this individual someone who should be working with or around children?

While I am no fan of the Virtus program, one of many such child safety orientations being used, I have been astounded in the 8 years since its use was mandated in this diocese, at the number of adults who deny this problems exists and have no idea of the extent of damage that has been done.
 
mizznicole said:
We have to do it too for any volunteer position. I do find it odd that they are putting such restrictions on the laity for a scandal perpetrated by the clergy, but I’m sure it’s good in the long run. If only we had the assurance that the bishops were as tough on their priests. Some are, I believe, but some are still getting caught doing the same stupid things. I guess it’s a good day to ask for Our Lady’s intercession for purity in our Church.
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Actually, priests undergo thorough background checks and have to attend the same training as the laity does.

Peace

Tim
 
mizznicole said:
We have to do it too for any volunteer position. I do find it odd that they are putting such restrictions on the laity for a scandal perpetrated by the clergy, .
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a far larger proportion of lawsuits faced by dioceses involve wrongdoing by laypersons, not only child abuse but financial mismanagement, criminal negligence and other misbehavior. The cost of priestly misconduct is high, but not the only damage being done.
 
puzzleannie said:
a far larger proportion of lawsuits faced by dioceses involve wrongdoing by laypersons, not only child abuse but financial mismanagement, criminal negligence and other misbehavior. The cost of priestly misconduct is high, but not the only damage being done.
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I realize that all this background checking is now normal, but it sure seems like overkill to me. Want to volunteer at the parish? Well, here’s a package of forms. It’s like applying for a job at the FBI.

A parishioner once asked me–why do I have to get a background check–I’m not the one that molested children.

And if someone with no criminal record should end up being accused of wrongdoing, lawsuits will still be filed, on the premise that the diocese should have done more.
 
Yep normal here too… and aren’t you glad that anyone that has access to your kids has to do the same?

It was a trip when we did it. Our local police came and finger printed everyone at one time…

They also do it for our public schools now. My gf volunteered to work with cheerleaders and they made her fill out the forms and get fingerprinted too…
 
It’s not just church related - pretty much anybody who works with kids has to get a background check. I am a credentialed teacher in California - I had to do livescan (fingerprints through the justice dept and FBI) to get my credential. I am a sub for the Los Angeles Unified School Disctrict - even though they know I had to have livescan to get my credential, I had to do it again for them. I also volunteer in a secular youth mentoring group. Yes, I had to do it a third time. They are being as careful as they can. Child predators are everywhere and many do what they can to be near kids. Better safe than sorry.
 
Swan said:
Child predators are everywhere and many do what they can to be near kids. Better safe than sorry.
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urrghh! that is just so disgusting, but true! a few sick people can cause so much damage.

I was teaching the Children’s Liturgy a couple of weeks ago and their responses were sooo sweet.

One of them asked, “a fairy?” and I said, “no Pharisee.”

Another one said, “so we should always stay awake and never go to sleep?” and I said, “no Jesus just means that we should always be ready for his return.”

How can anyone look at them and think anything else, but beautiful? They are so pure and innocent.
 
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