Safe Environment

The Diocese of Worcester created Safe Environment programs for all individuals in the diocese to help promote awareness of sexual abuse, help to prevent abuse, and to encourage survivors of abuse to seek the healing they deserve.

Why Safe Environment Programs?
Article 12 of the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children & Young People calls for a Safe Environment program for each diocese in the United States:

ARTICLE 12. Dioceses/eparchies will establish "safe environment" programs. They will cooperate with parents, civil authorities, educators, and community organizations to provide education and training for children, youth, parents, ministers, educators, and others about ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children. Dioceses/eparchies will make clear to clergy and all members of the community the standards of conduct for clergy and other persons in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse.

St. Mary Parish Nurse, Viola Jefferson, serves as our parish/school Safe Environment Coordinator.  She is available to answer your questions and concerns at 508.925.7647 or vi.jefferson@stmarysparish.org.

All staff members, employees and volunteers in our parish and/or school help to create and maintain a safe environment through the following screening and training programs:

CORI

Each employee/volunteer must complete a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) Request Form which is then submitted to the Commonwealth of MA through the Diocese of Worcester for processing. 

CODE OF CONDUCT

Each staff member, employee and volunteer must read and sign a Code of Conduct which is offered as part of the safe environment on-line training.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING

Each employee/volunteer must complete a safe environment training program which is offered to St. Mary Parishioners.  This on-line program, entitled Protecting God’s Children, is offered through VIRTUS.

VIRTUS is the program that identifies best practices designed to help prevent wrongdoing and promote "rightdoing" within religious organizations. The VIRTUS programs empower organizations and people to better control risk and improve the lives of all those who interact with the Church.