Protecting God's Children Safe Environment Sessions

Click the VIRTUS logo to connect to the diocesan safe environment program

 

"Since 2002, the Church in the United States has experienced a crisis without precedent in our times. The sexual abuse of children and young people by some deaconbs, priests, and bishops, and the ways in which the crimes and sins were addressed, have caused enormous pain, anger and confusion...[W]e re-affirm our deep commitment to creating a safe environment within the Church for children and youth."

- Preamble, USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

TO REPORT ABUSE:

If you or someone you know has been sexually abused by a member of the clergy (priest, deacon or bishop), and you need to talk with someone about abuse, exploitation, or harassment, please contact the Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator or the Bishop's Delegate in Matters Pertaining to Sexual Misconduct, 1400 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073; phone: (507) 359-2966.

2005-2010 Members of the New Ulm Diocesan Review Board

for Sexual Misconduct:

    Mr. Dick Embacher, Msgr. Douglas Grams, Msgr. Eugene Lozinski    

    Mr. Jerry Neubauer, Ms. Jamie Rieser, Dr. Ellen Vancura

   

Resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

• U.S. Bishops voice concern for victims of clergy sexual abuse, Thank Pope Benedict for leadership
  
  
• Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops 
  
  
• Safe Environment Training of Children in the Catholic Church - April 2007

• 2006 Annual Report on the Implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

• 2007 Press Release on Audit compliance

• Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons

• June 2007 - Five Years from Dallas
  

Diocesan Policies and Procedures

EMPLOYEES:
       •  Background Check form for Employees

• 13.0  Sexual Misconduct Policy of the Diocese of New Ulm (revised June 25, 2007)
•      Appendix I: Mandated Reporting of the Sexual Abuse of Minors to Civil      Authorities

•      Appendix II: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - Protocol for      Investigation of Allegations of Sexual Abuse
• Code of Conduct for All Who Work with Children, Youth and Vullnerable Adults

VOLUNTEERS:
       •  Background Check form for Volunteers

• 13.0  Sexual Misconduct Policy of the Diocese of New Ulm (revised June 25, 2007)
•      Appendix I: Mandated Reporting of the Sexual Abuse of Minors to Civil      Authorities

•      Appendix II: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - Protocol for      Investigation of Allegations of Sexual Abuse
• Code of Conduct for All Who Work with Children, Youth and Vullnerable Adults

iNDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS:

• "Independent Contractor" Procedure for Incoming Priest/Deacons/Lay Speakers
• "Independent Contractor" Request Form
• Independent Contractor Investigative Consumer Report Disclosure
• 13.0  Sexual Misconduct Policy of the Diocese of New Ulm (revised June 25, 2007)
•      Appendix I: Mandated Reporting of the Sexual Abuse of Minors to Civil      Authorities

•      Appendix II: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - Protocol for      Investigation of Allegations of Sexual Abuse

YOUTH EMPLOYEE/VOLUNTEER:

• 13.1 Sexaul Misconduct Policy for all Employees and Volunteers who are Minors - (revised June 25, 2007)
• 13.0  Sexual Misconduct Policy of the Diocese of New Ulm (revised June 25, 2007)
•      Appendix I: Mandated Reporting of the Sexual Abuse of Minors to Civil      Authorities

•      Appendix II: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - Protocol for      Investigation of Allegations of Sexual Abuse

• Minor Code of Behavior Agreement - (revised September 13, 2007)
• Safe Environment Training Release Form
  

• 13.2  Safe Environment Program for the Diocese of New Ulm (revised June 25, 2007)

• 13.3  Criminal Background Checks for all Pastoral Leaders and Those who Work with Minors (revised October 4, 2007)

• 13.4  Disqualifying Crimes or Conduct

•     Appendix I - Disqualifying Crimes or Conduct - Minnesota Statutes 2009

• 13.5  Youth/Minor Overnight Events, Activities and Ministries

• Sexual Misconduct Communication Procedure (2007)

Safe Environment Handbook

• Safe Environment Handbook (revised 2007)
• Appendix I of Handbook
  

Codes of Responsibility, Conduct and Behavior

          PASTORAL LEADERS:     

• Code of Professional Responsibility for Pastoral Leaders (revised September 13, 2007)

          VOLUNTEERS: 

• Code of Conduct for All Who Work with Children, Youth, and Vulnerable Adults (revised September 13, 2007)

          MINORS: 

• Code of Behavior Agreement (2007)

Statements

• Diocese of New Ulm Reports Statistics and Financial Costs Pertaining to Clerical Sexual Abuse of Minors - November 2003

• Bishop John C. Nienstedt Issues Statement Regarding Release of John Jay Study - February 27, 2004

The Prairie Catholic

(the official newspaper of the Diocese of New Ulm)

April designated as Child Abuse Awareness month

      April 2010

Safe Environment Training Opportunities

      December 2009

Diocese once again in compliance with Charter

      December 2009

Safe Environment Training Opportunities

      October 2009

Safe Environment sessions scheduled

      September 2009

April Designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Parishes, Dioceses; Upcoming Safe Environment Session

USCCB Charter Shows Increased Spending on Sex Abuse Prevention in 2008

(**Notice appears in this issue that reaches out to those who have been sexually abused by a member of the clergy.)

       April 2009

Maintaining a Safe Enviornment within the Church for Children and Young People

      December 2008

Safe Environment Sessions in New Ulm

       October 2008

2008 Safe Environment Sessions Scheduled

        May 2008

April Child Abuse Prevention Month - Safe environment efforts continue throughout diocese; Safe Environment Sessions
         April 2008

National Review Board issues 5-year report on Church handling of clergy sex abuse; 2008 Safe Environment Schedule

(**Notice appears in this issue that reaches out to those who have been sexually abused by a member of the clergy.)

         February 2008

Protecting God's Children Training sessions by VIRTUS planned throughout diocese

         January 2008

Diocese Again Found to be Compliant in Annual Mandated Safe Environment Audit-

November 2007

Special Report: Ensuring a Safe Environment - September 2007

• Protecting God's Children With Virtus
  

Special Report: Annual Audit/New Safe Environment Program to be Introduced -

June 2007

• Audit Scheduled for August - New Safe Environment Training Program to be Introduced this Month"   
  (**Notice appears in this issue that reaches out to those who have been sexually abused by a member of  the clergy.)

Special Report: Continuing to Ensure a Safe Environment - September 2006

• Diocese Continues to Ensure "Safe Environments"   
  (**Notice appears in this issue that reaches out to those who have been sexually abused by a member of  the clergy.)

Special Report: Revisions to Essential Norms - June 2006

• Revisions to 'Essential Norms' has been Approved by the Holy See
  (**Notice appears in this issue that reaches out to those who have been sexually abused by a member of  the clergy.)

Special Report: Continuing to Ensure a Safe Environment - October 2005

• Third Annual Audit Complete: New Ulm diocese once again found to be in full compliance

Special Report: Continuing to Ensure a Safe Environment - September 2005

• Safe Environment Efforts Continue: Renowned Speaker, Dr. David Walsh to Address Diocesan Catholic School Administrators and Teachers 
  (**Notice appears in this issue that reaches out to those who have been sexually abused by a member of  the clergy.)

Special Report: Second Charter Implementation Report - March 2005

• Second Charter Implementation Report Issued by USCCB - 96.3 percent of all dioceses and eparachies found to be in compliance   
  
  

• CARA Survey Part of Annual Report of Office of Child and Youth Protection - findings made public at February 18 press conference in Washington
  
  

Special Report: Safe Environment - December 2004

• Diocesan Safe Environment - this year's presentation discusses boundaries

Special Report: Second National Audit - October 2004

• Second National Audit - diocese again in full compliance

Special Report: Safe Environment - September 2004

• US bishops Reaffirm Promise to Protect Young People and to Offer Healing - packets of information distributed to all Catholic parishes in nation
  (**Notice reaching out to those who have been sexually abused by a member of the clergy.)

Special Report: John Jay Study - February 2004

• Pastoral Letter from Bishop Nienstedt regarding John Jay Study

• Diocese of New Ulm in full compliance with Bishops' Charter

Special Report: Updated Sexual Misconduct Policy - November 2003

• Updated Sexual Misconduct Policy for the Diocese of New Ulm Seeks a Safe and Secure Environment for all its Faithful

   (**Notice appears in this issue reaching out to those who have been sexually abused     by a member of the clergy also appears within this article.)
  

Special Report: "Listening Sessions" Conducted - October 2003

• "Listening Sessions" held in parishes following public announcement in August of lawsuit against a deceased priest of the diocese.

Special Report: Diocese Continues Response to Sexual Misconduct -         September 2003

• Diocese Continues to Move Forward in Response to Sexual Misconduct in the Church

Special Report: Implementation of Safe Environment Programs - June 2003

• Diocese of New Ulm Diligent in Implementing "Safe Environment" Program - prevention program planned for all involved with youth

• Guidelines for Implementation of "Safe Environment" Programs 

          (adopted March 7, 2003 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)

           (**Notice appears in this issue that reaches out to those who have been

                sexually abused by a member of  the clergy.)

Special Report: Revised "Essential Norms" - December 2002

• Revised "Essential Norms for Dealing with Sex Abuse" now on the USCCB Web site

• FBI Official to Head Bishops' Office for Child Protection

Special Report: Restoring the Trust - October 2002

• Restoring the trust - Diocese of New Ulm responds to requests made by Charter
  (**Notice appears reaching out to those who have been sexually abused by a member of the clergy also appears within this article.)

Special Report: Responding to Complaints of Sexual Misconduct - April 2002

• Miles to Go, monthly column by Bishop John C. Nienstedt
  
  

• Committed to Promoting Healing, Guidance, and Change with Justice
  
  
• Reports of Sexual Misconduct are Made to the Bishop's Delegate for Sexual Misconduct
  
  

• Seminarians are Carefully Screened Throughout Formation Period