Thus I began, even in the first years of the new millennium, to insist that not just those ministers involved in children’s ministries be fingerprinted and trained, but that everyone who worked, or volunteered, or even visited to minister in the parish or school for which I was responsible be trained in safe environment policies and procedures which were then beginning to be promulgated by the Diocese.
Just as this was starting, in 2003, I was reassigned from Sacred Heart, Rancho Cucamonga, to St. Catherine of Sienna, Rialto, and I brought with me the same determination that all children be safe in all church and school activities. By 2004 St. Catherine’s had put glass panels in all doors, and had fingerprinted and trained over 2000 people – every minister in every ministry involving children of course, but all liturgical ministers (choirs, lectors, ushers, sacristans…), all social justice ministers (REACH Center, clothing closet…), and just about anyone who came through the parish doors for almost any reason.
Parents with children in CFF and the school were trained, even if they did little more than bring their children on campus. This was not without its challenges, one whole choir quit abruptly, several members of non-child serving ministries quit, and even a few leaders of ministries. Their reasons for not wanting to be fingerprinted are their business, but I stuck to the policy, so they left.
Many of St. Catherine’s ministers are undocumented which meant that getting fingerprinted was impossible, but they still had to attend and complete the Safe Environment and Mandated Reporting workshops (as required at that time), and in cooperation with the Diocese we developed a process which obviated the need to fingerprint.
The process has gone through several iterations over the years culminating in the national VIRTUS program to which the Diocese of San Bernardino belongs. As a priest I am required by the Bishop to be trained in the VIRTUS program, but I am also a trainer myself, leading workshops and at times giving one-on-one training in special cases.
So 12 years later, what has happened? The mindset of the parishioners has changed. The attitude is no longer, ‘they are at church, what can happen to them?’ Instead the attitude is, ‘they are at church and here it is safe for them, and for us, as long as we are aware.’
I can walk the campus of St Catherine of Sienna knowing that our children are as safe as they possibly can be. Parents, ministry leaders, ministers and volunteers in all parish activities know that children must be supervised at all times by a minimum of 2 adults (and since just about all adults are VIRTUS trained now) it doesn’t matter who they are.
The children are safe, so we are all safe. I have a paid (part-time) Director of Safe Environment who puts on the courses at regular intervals; recently, however, that person has not been able to do this, such that I am getting questions from the faithful - “when is the next safe environment class, Father?” They look forward to the courses, and to renewing their skills and abilities in making the place safe for children.
New parishioners and new ministers thank us for the opportunity of learning about something which has hitherto been a dark secret. Over the years we have had, of course, several instances of uncovering abuse taking place off campus, and following State and Diocesan legal requirements have helped children gain an immediate place of safety, and a longer term place of healing. I can look out, during Sunday Mass, and know that at least 30-40% of the parishioners, even if they are not ministering in any way at the parish, at least know what the deal is, and if they are keeping their own kids safe at home, then they are ministering in their homes to their kids, and perhaps also to their kids’ visiting friends. And the home is the domestic church. My goal is to continue to advocate for children, their spiritual, moral and physical safety, and teach always that when the children are safe, we are all safe.
Fr. Steve Porter is the Pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Rialto.