Protection of Children
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Protection of Children & Young People
The Diocese of Rockville Centre requires all clergy, employees, and volunteers to participate in the Safe Environment Guidelines as established by the Charter for the Protection of Children/Young People (2002) and outlined in the Diocesan Child Protection Policy.
Confidential Hotline Number: 516-594-9063
The Office for the Protection of Children and Young People (OFPCYP) for the Diocese of Rockville Centre was established in 2003 in response to the document published by The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
With the issuance of the Charter, the Bishops of the United States established standards that were to be implemented in every diocese throughout the country to insure that the most vulnerable would be safe in our Church.
We encourage you to visit the Diocese of Rockville Centre's website for in depth information on this topic. -
Requirements for All Parish and School VolunteersIn order to insure the safety of our young people all of our parish and school staff members along with all who volunteer in any way for St. Mary’s Parish and Schools first must complete VIRTUS Training and are required to submit to a criminal background check.
The purpose of this Diocesan and Parish policy is to provide a universal vigilance. We seek to provide an environment in which all are aware of the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, an environment in which all recognize potential danger signs and unhealthy situations and an environment in which all know the proper course of action to take when something is wrong and when something raises concern. The VIRTUS training is designed to help us recognize potentially dangerous situations so that no one is harmed.
It is important to note that VIRTUS Training is mandatory. If a parish volunteer, whether he/she works with children or not, does not complete VIRTUS Training, he/she will not be permitted to serve in any volunteer capacity at St. Mary’s or at any other parish in the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
We thank all who have cooperated with this Diocesan and Parish policy. All who are
interested in being a volunteer on any level in our St. Mary’s Parish and Schools are expected to complete these requirements before they begin their volunteer service. Information on VIRTUS training can be found on the DRVC website. The Criminal Background Check Form may be obtained from the Parish Office during business hours.