Ethics & Integrity in Ministry (Updated Jan. 1st 2023)

Clergy, religious, paid staff and all volunteers working with minors and/or vulnerable adults at any parish, Catholic school, or diocesan location are required to complete an Application for Ministry/background check and attend an EIM workshop every three years. Ministry with minors and/or vulnerable adults pertains to any ministry, program, or organization that serves youth or vulnerable adults in any manner or which functions at a time and place where minors or vulnerable adults are typically present. A listing of such ministries/programs or organizations includes, but is not limited to:

• religious education, youth ministry, Catholic schools, homeschooling organizations that use church property or identify as a parish ministry, homebound/hospital ministry, parish nursery and mother’s day out/pre-school programs, liturgical ministries (i.e. hospitality/ushers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, lectors, choir/music ministry, etc), St Vincent de Paul Society conferences, parish/school-sponsored scout groups and other activities/programs for youth.
• EIM compliance is required for the leadership of parish and diocesan organizations that may serve youth even though their primary function is not necessarily to serve youth (i.e. ladies/men’s clubs, Knights of Columbus, Knights of Peter Claver, Serra Club/vocations ministry, etc); for members of such organization, the EIM compliance requirement may be waived if participation is limited to times and places when minors are not present.
• Pastors and principals may determine that those in any parish/school leadership position (i.e. ministry and organization leaders and Pastoral, Finance and Stewardship Council members, school advisory board members) should be in compliance with these diocesan EIM policies as a symbol of leadership within the parish/school and support of the policies of the church.
• Pastors and principals may choose to include additional ministries/organizations to this listing at the local level.

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