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Safe Environment

Churches, schools, and youth organizations must ensure that children and youth who worship, study, or participate in activities sponsored by a parish can do so in the safest and most secure setting possible.

Parents and caretakers have the right to ask these institutions if they meet the requirements of the Charter before they allow their children to become involved with them.

An effective safe environment program will have the following components:

  • A code of conduct for clergy and for any other paid personnel and volunteers in positions of trust who have regular contact with children and young people.

  • Training for all adults who work with children that consists of:

    • Signs an adult may see in a child who is abused

    • Signs an adult may see in a person who abuses children

    • What actions an adult should take when they believe child abuse of any kind may be occurring

  • A training program for children that includes age appropriate materials pertaining to personal safety that conforms to Catholic teachings

For more information from the Archdiocese, please click here.

VIRTUS Online Training

VIRTUS Online Training is a major part in training for volunteering for both Good Shepherd and Immaculate Conception churches.

Per the Code of Conduct, the Archdiocese of San Antonio requires 3 trainings:

  • Sexual Harassment Training:

    • Required for clergy, candidates for ordination, employees, and adult volunteers. Must be renewed every three years

  • Protecting God's Children:

    • Required for clergy, candidates for ordination, employees, and adult volunteers who minister to children/youth. Must be renewed every three years.

  • Vulnerable Adults Training:

    • Required for clergy, candidates for ordination, employees, and adult volunteers who minister to adult vulnerable populations. Must be renewed every three years.

To complete the training, the Archdiocese of San Antonio is currently using Virtus. Virtus provides traditional on-site training, on-line training, and on-line renewal training.

For more information on VIRTUS Online Training, register, or taking the online training, click here.