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Documents
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Protecting God's Children
Follow the link below to access a variety of useful material and resources including:
· Details about the Office of Child
& Youth Protection and the
Protecting God’s Children program
· A variety of safe environment forms
and applications for parishes,
parents, schools, employees and
volunteers
· How to file a sexual abuse report
· Information about the Office of
Professional Responsibility
· Diocesan policies on counseling
assistance
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And Jesus said to the Apostles:“Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you...and know that I am with you always...” Matthew 28:20
Children are the future, and our legacy. As a community of Faith how do we insure they are safe as they become an integral part of church life. As they grow, learn and develop in their faith, how do we oversee their day to day safety.
We do this through a program called Protecting God's Children®.
How Does It Work?
Maximizing a church's role as a child-safe environment begins with making adults more aware of the ways children and adults interact with each other. The Protecting God's Children program educates and trains adults (clergy, religious, teachers, staff, volunteers, and parents) about the dangers of abuse, the warning signs of abuse, the ways to prevent abuse, the methods of properly reporting suspicions of abuse, and responding to allegations of abuse.
Why Does It Work? Child abusers seek to operate and abuse their power within nurturing, child-friendly environments where it is assumed that nobody would want to harm a child. Religious organizations of all faiths are an easy target. The Protecting God's Children program implements safety mechanisms that send a message to all abusers and potential abusers:- Child abuse is not tolerated,
- Children are vigilantly protected,
- Victims are listened to, heard, and shielded from further abuse, and
- Offenders are identified and punished.
By utilizing best practices for training and loss prevention, the Protecting God's Children program helps make churches safe for all people—especially children.To find out more about this program please click the link below.
www.portlanddiocese.org/protecting-gods-children
CHARTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
(Click Here)
FAITH FORMATIONPurpose: To provide effective channels for the transmission of the Good News of Jesus
Christ to the various members of the Catholic Community.
Goal: To extend the best religious program to all members of our faith community.
Responsibilities:-
Teaching the Faith ~ To develop for every age group in the parish a religious education program of high quality that transmits the teachings and customs of the Church.
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Teaching the Bible ~ To teach everyone to read the Bible with understanding and fidelity.
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Preparation for the Sacraments ~ To have good programs of catechesis for individuals and their families who are about to celebrate the sacraments.
Suggestions: Rel. Ed. Programs from Pre-school-Youth Ministry. Adult education programs; Bible study groups, small faith sharing groups. Pre-Sacramental catechesis for parishioners; RCIA, RCIC. Teacher training for Catechists and opportunities for religious experiences for youth and adults; retreats, pilgrimages, etc.