The Catholic Church in Canada has not recovered from a litany of problems in recent years — the Residential School Scandal; the Sexual Abuse Scandal; the Pandemic, and more.
The Archdiocese of Edmonton has introducing a new program in the hope of preventing further sexual and other abuses. It is overly legalistic and will likely reduce the involvement of the Laity in church ministry. Very dedicated volunteers will complete all the requirements — as may some perverts.
Volunteer Coordinator
The plan is for a Volunteer Coordinator to work with the Pastor, Parish Secretary and individual Ministry Directors/Coordinators in every parish in the Archdiocese to ensure each volunteer completes the mound of paperwork; is interviewed; completes the ‘Called to Protect’ training session and for most, have their references checked. (Details below.)
The editor of Catholic Arena tells me that the only requirement for volunteers in Ireland is a Garda / Police Report. Pray that Irish Bishops are not looking to change!
The Abuse Prevention Program
The Archdiocese clearly states they are treating volunteers like employees. (They should be thankful that parishioners are way more dedicated to the Church than to any employer who abused their children...)
Only ~1/4 of ministries have no significant interaction with children, adolescents, the elderly, money or confidential records, etc. so are “Low Risk” (e.g. Readers at Mass.)
Volunteers must:
1. Complete the Parish Volunteer Information Form
State their motivation or interest in applying for the specific ministry.
Enumerate employment experience and/or previous volunteer work and note the “reasons for departing that position”!
Make a declaration that they will comply with Volunteer Management Policy No. 361, and attest they will be “faithful in honouring volunteer commitments.”
Make a declaration that they “certify that the information provided on this Volunteer Information Form is true and complete.”
Are warned that if they fail to comply “…participation will be re-evaluated.”
2. Sign the Covenant of Care form
Volunteers must attest to seven promises (such as “I promise that I will not harass others as specified in Policy no 353 Workplace Violence”) and several “understandings.” The volunteer’s signature should be witnessed by the Ministry Director, Pastor or Volunteer Coordinator.
3. Be interviewed
The interview is held by the Ministry Director and/or Pastor and/or Volunteer Coordinator who must ask the 10 questions set by the Archdiocese. (Such as, “Have you ever been accused of abusing or molesting a child, youth or vulnerable person?” )
The ADE handbook gives pointers as to how responses should be interpreted — as if one paragraph of suggestions is enough guidance to decipher signs of deception.
4. Attend the “Called to Protect” Course
This is a 2.5 hour on-line, or in-person, course. It is presented by the ADE volunteer coordinator and a Deacon and is provided ~10 times per year and must be completed once by each volunteer.
(From the CAEDM website)
The course has limited maximum enrollment and only the very next course is posted on the CAEDM website. Volunteers are given about one month’s notice of the next course, which when on-line seems to be run on weekdays during normal working hours. (I noted one in-person session being held in the evening: good for urban volunteers but very difficult for rural attendees who may have to travel up to 2-3 hours one-way in this Diocese.)
The video session is recorded by the ADE. If you do not wish to be recorded the only option is not to take the course! (Ergo, not be a volunteer…)
Every volunteer must complete items 1-4, and most will be required to have their references checked. There is no ‘grand-fathering’ of long-standing parish volunteers, so everyone is to be interrogated…sorry, interviewed!
5. Medium & High Risk Ministry to complete Supplemental Form D2
Provide a Police Information / Criminal Record Check.
If working with children, adolescents and vulnerable seniors to provide a Vulnerable Sector Check. (Additional police report.)
For all dealing with children or adolescents, an Intervention Record Check from Child Welfare / Children’s Social Services.
Provide 3 references & confirm that they may be contacted.
Per Policy 361: “A completed and “clear” Police Information Check (PIC) including the Vulnerable Sector background check is required as a condition of volunteering in positions of medium and high risk.” So, a volunteer with any criminal record is excluded from all Medium and High Risk ministry in the Archdiocese — even if the crime is irrelevant to the ministry involved.
[References: the 44-page Safe Environment and Abuse Prevention Handbook & the 9-page Volunteer Management Policy No. 361]
Viable Alternatives?
We must provide robust safe ministry within the Church because there are numerous Pervs out there who are ready and willing to replace us — they want us to fail!
There will be no forgiveness in the media if there is further abuse, but no program can guarantee 100% safety.
Active criminals and perverts will lie blind on every form and during every interview. There is little point in requiring multiple attestations, signatures, references and interviews. The largest group who are likely to answer suspiciously are the shy, embarrassed and inexperienced parishioners, or those who simply feel guilty when being questioned!
It is not fair to require a decision based on behaviour and responses when the interviewer is not properly trained in the detection of deception and body language.
If some courses must be witnessed by ADE staff then there should be several months of dates and times posted ahead, so people can plan appropriately. Some should be on evenings and weekends.
Courses should not be recorded — if they are, staff should provide exact details as to whom will see the video and when it will be erased.
People should have access to a variety of optional training courses (e.g. including self-directed, on-line learning or one-on-one if necessary) to allow maximum accessibility and training. These should include very practical tips on spotting boundary violations, grooming behaviour etc. and specific training and practice on exactly how to intervene. (What to say; how to say it; when to call police, etc.)
Courses should be repeatable: as often as needed.
People should be encouraged to speak out at meetings, etc. and agendas setting time for safety issues. It should be acceptable to question any procedure, process or event, at any level, run by any person.
Perhaps new parishioners should not be considered for some moderate to high risk ministry for ~1-2 years after joining a parish. (Some flexibility for specific groups like the military who are required to move, if they have a favourable report from their previous parish.)
Every ministry could have at least one person with advanced training (or in very small parishes, a small number could circulate through the ministries.)
A criminal history unrelated to the specific ministry should not be a bar to a volunteer.
The Laity should get feedback about the training of their Pastor, Deacon, Parish Secretary…and even the Archbishop!
We are the Church!
Some Catholics are called to volunteer their life through Holy Orders, or religious life.
Lay Catholics are called to volunteer their life as Christians in the community; to support their Church in material ways and to praise God from the pews. Parishioners volunteer / donate the money which pays the bills — including the cost of abuses. Parishioners volunteer / donate time and talents to the Church through ministry or other work.
We must design a workable safety program which increases participation of the Laity, while protecting the vulnerable.
Kevin Hay
You can follow Kevin on X (Twitter) @kevinhay77