Bishop McRaith's Greeting *Contact Bishop *Contact Parishes *Contact Schools *Contact Diocesan Review Board (DRB) THE CHURCH  COMMITMENT TO PROTECT

OFFICE OF SAFE ENVIRONMENT: DIOCESE OF OWENSBORO Patty Blair: Director of Lay Ministry &Formation (training programs)                 Donna Biggs and Rita Hayden: Administrative Assistants Molly Thompson:  Coordinator (270-683-1545, x353)--molly.thompson@pastoral.org Safe Environment Office News & Updates Información sobre el Programa de Ambiente Seguro Documents/Forms for Safe Environment Implementation  (English/Español) --Policy for Activities Involving Minors and Vulnerable Adults          --Diocesan Sexual Abuse Policy           --"Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" and "Essential Norms" Background Check Screening Safe Environment Training:  ADULTS  /  MINORS Seeking HEALING for Those  Harmed--Diocesan Review Board contacts Compliance with Safe Environment for Individuals: Background Checks and Training Videos on Sexual Abuse--from the Diocesan Media Center Office of Safe Environment: Goals Aids for Pastors  & Safe Environment Contacts: --Tips: Safe Environment Requirements for Different Groups --Community Contacts Form --Pastor's Annual Review Form: due by 7/15 each year --Testimonials of Suitability: required when individuals from outside the diocese (not under our diocese's Safe Environment policies)  minister within this diocese for parish missions, weekend or special Masses, speaking opportunities where minors are included, etc. --Catechist Introduction for Youth SE Training videos/DVDs --Sexual Abuse Policy Receipt for Clergy In 2002 the bishops of the United States created the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People," specifically to address the evil of sexual abuse perpetrated by those in positions of trust within the Church.   Article 12 of the Charter addresses training and standards of conduct, and Article 13 requires that dioceses “evaluate the background" of employees and of volunteers whose duties include unsupervised contact with minors.      All in ministry should take every appropriate step to protect those in their care from accidental or deliberate harm.  The Diocese of Owensboro Office of Safe Environment aids in those efforts and relies on the diocese's parishes and schools to implement the policies developed for the safety of our younger, most vulnerable members. OLDER ITEMS OF INTEREST: Safe Environment Office News & Updates:  May 2008 Safe Environment Trainings Held:  2007-2008 school year / 2006-2007 school year / 2005-2006 school year / 2004-2005 school year / 2003-2004 school year Official USCCB Report for the Diocese of Owensboro regarding Charter compliance (2004)Bishop McRaith's open letter of January 2004 regarding healing after abuse and the value of Safe Environment Hispanic Safe Environment Program Development Legal Questions about Sexual Abuse and Reporting Bishop's letter in September, 2004 Western Kentucky Catholic: "Embracing a New Way of Thinking: Novus Habitus Mentis"  [Español]

Office of Safe Environment--Roman Catholic Diocese of Owensboro, Kentucky (2008)