CODE OF CONDUCT

For all those who minister to young people in the Diocese of Salina

Children and young people are one of the most important gifts God has entrusted to the Church. In order create a safe environment that will reverence the dignity of a child’s life, all those who minister to young people in the Diocese of Salina will follow the guidelines and rules in this Code of Conduct.

As someone ministering to young people, I will:

• Provide prudent supervision at all times during youth activities. This means having two qualified adults present and accessible to young people.  If both male and female youth are present, both male and female adult leadership is required.
• In youth ministry programs, assure there is a proper ratio of adults to young people. For high school events, a ratio of 5 youth to 1 adult is necessary; for younger children more adults may be needed.
• Minister to young people in areas that are accessible and visible.
• Physical contact with children and/or young people can be misconstrued by both minors and other adults, and should only occur under appropriate public circumstances.
• Refrain from giving expensive gifts to children or young people without approval from the parents or guardian, and the parish pastor. The imparting of expensive gifts can be misunderstood by both the participants, the parents and members of the church community.
• Avoid driving alone in a vehicle with a minor or young person.
• Report suspected sexual abuse to the pastor, pastoral administrator or appropriate supervisor.  In cases where there are clear indications of illegal actions by parish pastor/pastoral administrator or other church leader, notification should be make immediately to the proper civil authority as well as the bishop or his representative.
• Cooperate fully in any investigation that may occur into allegations of child sexual abuse.
• Periodically review this Code of Conduct with all those who minister to young people in the parish if I am the director or coordinator of parish religious education/youth ministry.

As someone ministering to young people, I will NOT:

·         Allow minors to be the primary supervisors over other minors.  There must also be present one person over the age of 21 whenever older youth/teenagers are ministering to younger children.

·         Use, possess or be under the influence of alcohol at any time while ministering to young people.

·         Use, possess or be under the influence of illegal drugs at any time.

·         Provide or display sexually explicit or offensive material to children and/or young people.

·         Strike, spank, shake or slap any children and/or young person.

·         Touch a child or young person in a sexual way or other inappropriate manner.

·         Use profanity in the presence of children and/or young people.

·         Use discipline that frightens or degrades any young person.

Provide overnight accommodations in rectories or other personal residences for minors.

             Parish ministers should not go on overnight trips alone with minors other than their

             own children. Furthermore, parish ministers are not to share bed with minors or sleeping

             quarters with minors other than their own children. 

             – Issued by Most Rev. George K. Fitzsimons, Bishop of Salina, on March 1, 2003