SCREENING
All postulants, licensed lay ministers, and candidates for ordination are required to participate in a thorough criminal background / sex offender registry check at their own expense. The Ordinariate has selected SentryLink as our provider. Any adult serving a local ministry in any capacity must also participate in screening, with the sole exception that clergy serving in jail or prison environments may allow incarcerated individuals to serve as readers or servers within the context of the corrections environment.
It is always viewed favorably if a candidate discloses in advance anything that might be returned on a criminal background / sex offender registry check before the check is conducted.
When reviewing the findings of the report, minor traffic infractions are generally not of concern. An explanation will be sought for any non-violent misdemeanors. Such offenses must be over twenty-four months in the past, and any ordered restitution must have been made.
Felony convictions present a significant obstacle for the Ordinariate. At this time, the Ordinariate will not accept applications from those with felony convictions.
Under no circumstances shall the Ordinariate or its ministries consider, for any ministry role, an individual who has been convicted of any form of abuse or neglect.
NOTIFICATION RESPONSIBILITY
Individuals subject to the Ordinariate's jurisdiction who are charged with a misdemeanor or felony must immediately report the situation to the Ordinary, who shall act accordingly.
SAFE ENVIRONMENT
The Ordinariate is committed to providing a safe environment for all whom we serve. All who hold official roles within the Ordinariate are required to complete training on a regular basis on topics such as abuse, neglect, and human trafficking. We partner with Darkness 2 Light to provide training on child sexual abuse. Training on subjects related to adult abuse and neglect prevention are sourced from a variety of providers.
Failure to complete assigned training within 30 business days of assignment (or upon return from an authorized leave of absence) will result in the suspension of faculties until the assignment is completed.
Failure to complete assigned training within 90 business days of suspension will result in the dismissal of the individual from the Ordinariate.
MANDATORY REPORTER STATUS
As a manifestation of our responsibility to safeguard all, the Ordinariate requires all postulants, licensed lay ministers, and clergy to voluntarily and rapidly report any suspicion of abuse or neglect against anyone - child or adult- to the appropriate agencies.
The only exception to this rule is in the event of information learned within context of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as noted in the Canonical Norms of the Ordinariate.