News and Events

Seeking to Educate

About forty priests and seventy families representing their parishes gathered at Sacred Heart Cathedral on April 19 to receive the sacramental oils and promulgated Responsible Ministry Protocol: A Protection Plan for Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adults entitled Our Living Covenant.

The 170 binders totaling over 80,000 contain Diocesan Policies, Procedures and Protocols that will enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of parish administration.

The policies and procedures section of the Covenant sets guidelines for parish sacramental events, financial decisions and office procedures. The Protocol section aims to educate those in ministry with children, youth and vulnerable adults. Further training sessions will begin in September.

Although the requirement for the Protocol originated with the insurance company, Bishop Thévenot, M. Afr. puts the Protocol in a positive perspective. His covering letter states, “Let us not be overwhelmed by this new endeavor or be discouraged. The Church has suffered and is still suffering because of different abuses. Let us learn from our previous behaviors and not repeat them. Let us find hope in the horizon before us.”

 (Photo) During May and June, six sessions were held to explain to Parish Responsible Ministry Committee members how to assist those ministering to children, youth and vulnerable adults. Christine Taylor (Children’s Catechetics) Warren Dungen (Youth Ministry) and Michael Averyt (Adult Faith Education)
travel to parishes as part of the Protocol Implementation Committee and Diocesan staff.