Updated framework to protect children and young people from abuse is described in promulgation letter
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Jesus says: “Let the little children come to me” (Matthew 19:14). As Catholics, we share a sacred obligation to protect the children, youth and vulnerable adults in our community.
In the Diocese San Bernardino, our Safe Environment program and victim assistance ministry has been in place since 2003. Over the past two plus decades we have built an effective and compassionate ministry that has allowed us to make great strides in child abuse prevention, detection, and early intervention efforts. However, we constantly face new realities and challenges that compel us to update existing policies that incorporate best practices and integrate Safe Environment measures in everything that we do.
In that spirit, I am re-promulgating the Diocesan Safe Environment Policy for the Protection of Children and Code of Pastoral Conduct, trainings, and practices for the protection of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. This formal decree is effective April 1, 2024, and the current policies remain in effect.
Our Safe Environment policies implement guidelines set forth in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, and the State of California’s mandatory reporting laws and procedures.
The Diocesan Safe Environment Policies are available online at https://www.docyp.org/policies
Our goal is to reinforce the Diocese of San Bernardino’s efforts to ensure the safest possible environment for children, youth, and vulnerable adults through awareness trainings and by strengthening our prevention initiatives. This will ensure that adults and minors are empowered with important information on how to identify warning signs of grooming or abuse of minors or vulnerable adults, and how to properly report suspected abuse to civil and authorities.
The re-promulgation of our Diocesan Safe Environment Program includes the following stipulations:
- Diocesan Safe Environment training is required for all clergy, candidates for ordination, men and women religious, employees, private contractors and volunteers providing services or ministering to minors in any capacity; to be renewed every three years.
- Diocesan safe Environment training is required for Safe Environment training workshop Facilitators; to be renewed every three years.
- All adults required to complete diocesan Safe Environment training must sign an Affidavit of Safe Environment Compliance acknowledging their responsibility and commitment to complying with all diocesan Safe Environment policies.
- All minors enrolled in ongoing parish and Catholic school programs in the Diocese of San Bernardino must participate in an annual Circle of Grace personal safety lesson.
Per the California State Assembly Bill 506 Law, all clergy, candidates for ordination, men and women religious, employees, private contractors and volunteers providing services or ministering to minors in any capacity shall undergo a background check pursuant to Section 11105.3 of the California Department of Justice Penal Code to identify and exclude any persons with a history or a threat of child abuse. - The Diocese of San Bernardino, through the Office of Child and Youth Protection, requires each parish pastor/administrator to annually acknowledge either by electronic communication or letter that the diocesan Safe Environment program curricula and materials have been implemented in their parish and missions. The same requirement will exist for Catholic school administrators.
- Each parish must have and implement a Safe Environment Plan which incorporates all elements of the Safe Environment Policy for the Protection of Children and Young People and Code of Pastoral Conduct of the Diocese of San Bernardino. If a Catholic school is part of the parish, it must be included in the parish’s Safe Environment Plan. Diocesan Catholic schools and privately-run Catholic schools not affiliated with a parish must create their own Safe Environment Plan
- Posters displaying procedures for reporting suspected child abuse must be posted in parishes and schools. Contact the Office of Child and Youth Protection to acquire the most updated printed poster.
- The Diocesan Review Board shall continue to hold regular meetings, reviewing any allegations of child abuse by a church minister that arise. The Board shall carry out revised term limits and frequent policy review.
- This Promulgation Letter and all Safe Environment Policies must be made publicly available to all clergy, employees, volunteers, parishioners, and parents throughout the Diocese of San Bernardino.
On July 1, 2023, the Diocese of San Bernardino began a partnership with CMG Connect to educate adults about the warning signs of sexual abuse, reporting suspected child abuse, and the practice of safe boundaries that all adults must adhere to when working with minors and vulnerable adults. CMG Connect will be the training platform required for all Safe Environment adult training.
Also, on July 1, 2023, the Diocese of San Bernardino partnered with the organization Circle of Grace to educate children and youth about their safety and the value of positive relationships with God and others.
Our goal in carrying out this comprehensive Safe Environment Policy and Code of Pastoral Conduct is to create an environment where any early signs of abuse of our children, youth, and vulnerable adults are identified and not ignored (we acknowledge that unfortunately no policy can prevent every incident of abuse from occurring).
Let us together pledge our commitment to do all we can using the blessings of these policies and, of course, God’s grace to keep our young people safe from harm and filled with the light of Christ.
In Christ’s merciful love,
Bishop Alberto Rojas