The following codes of conduct list standards that must be adhered to by all clergy and those in formation for clergy positions, adult employees and volunteers, and youth participating in church-related activities within the Diocese of Harrisburg.
Codes of Conduct for Behaviors with Minors
The following standards enumerate and limit particular inappropriate actions when dealing with minors and must be adhered to by all clergy and those in formation for priesthood and diaconate within the Diocese of Harrisburg:
- Clergy and those in formation for priesthood or diaconate should exercise prudent professional caution in all interactions with minors. Even the appearance of impropriety should be recognized and avoided.
- Clergy and those in formation for priesthood or diaconate should avoid being alone with a minor, excluding sacramental confession (normally taking place within the Church), as well as counseling and spiritual direction (normally occurring in the professional offices of the Church or rectory).*
- Minors are permitted only in the public areas of rectories and never in the private living quarters of the clergy and those in formation for priesthood or diaconate.* Note that the diocesan Program for Priestly Life also states that minors are not permitted to work in rectories or parish offices (answering phones and doors, etc.), since it is an unsafe practice and potentially a serious liability.
- Clergy and those in formation for priesthood or diaconate should never be alone with a minor in a closed room (except for the instances mentioned above), nor sleep in the same room with a minor.*
- Clergy and those in formation for priesthood or diaconate should never accompany minors to movies, sporting events or other forms of entertainment without at least one other non-clergy adult being present.*
- Clergy and those in formation for priesthood or diaconate should never be present in locker rooms or other dressing rooms used by minors without another non-clergy adult present. Likewise, they should never change clothes or shower in facilities that are being used by minors.
- All youth trips, especially overnight trips, must have a sufficient number of adult non-clergy chaperones. Clergy and those in formation for priesthood or diaconate should never be the sole chaperone on any youth trip.
- Clergy and those in formation for priesthood or diaconate should never obtain or possess sexually explicit or pornographic materials, nor participate in distribution or receipt of pornographic materials through any medium.
- Clergy and those in formation for priesthood or diaconate, who find themselves attracted to minors or who frequently seek their companionship (rather than that of adults), should seek advice and assistance from the Secretary for Clergy and Consecrated Life, who may suggest a professional evaluation with a trained psychological expert.
- Conversations or discussions of topics of a sexual nature with minors should be limited to the cleric’s teaching office or made in response to specific questions.
- Clergy and those in formation for priesthood or diaconate should avoid using inappropriate expressions of physical affection with minors, including but not limited to the following: inappropriate or lengthy embraces; kisses on the mouth; holding minors over two years of age on the lap; touching bottoms, chests or genital areas; sleeping in bed with a minor; wrestling with minors; tickling minors; piggyback rides; any type of massage given to or received from a minor; any form of unwanted affection; compliments that relate to physique or body development; any form of physical affection/contact given to a minor in private.
- Clergy and those in formation for priesthood or diaconate should avoid taking unfair advantage of a counseling relationship with a minor for personal benefit or gratification.
- Clergy and those in formation for priesthood or diaconate should share concerns about suspicious or inappropriate behavior of others with minors with the appropriate civil authorities and, if it involves a cleric or other Church personnel, also with the Secretary for Clergy and Consecrated Life.
- Clergy and those in formation for priesthood or diaconate must always conduct themselves as professional adults who set the limits and boundaries of the relationship, in all interpersonal relations with minors.
- Clergy and those in formation for priesthood or diaconate are asked to accept their personal responsibility to provide a safe environment for minors within the Church.
- Clergy and those in formation for priesthood or diaconate should be familiar with the mandated reporting requirements for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and are directed to follow those mandates.
*NOTE: Permanent deacons with their families and other clerics in their private dwellings or with family members must use due diligence and discretion in applying these standards
Updated 05.22.2013
The following standards enumerate and limit particular inappropriate actions when dealing with minors and must be adhered to by all adult employees and volunteers serving in the Diocese of Harrisburg:
- Employees and volunteers will treat everyone with respect, patience, integrity, courtesy, dignity, and consideration.
- Employees and volunteers will exercise prudent professional caution in all interactions with minors.
- Employees and volunteers are to avoid situations of being alone with children and/or youth at Church-sponsored activities, on church property, or in any capacity where serving as an official representative of the Church.
- Employees and volunteers must establish clear, appropriate boundaries and limits in all interpersonal relationships with minors.
- Employees and volunteers should not accept expensive gifts from children and/or youth or their parents without prior written approval from their pastor or administrator.
- Employees and volunteers must refrain from giving expensive gifts to children and/or youth without prior written approval from the parents or legal guardian and the pastor or administrator.
- There must be a sufficient number of adult chaperones for all youth trips, especially overnight trips. One adult should never be the sole chaperone on any youth trip. All required background clearances must be obtained before any employee or volunteer chaperones any Church-sponsored trip. When staying overnight, no adult should sleep in the same room, bed, sleeping bag, or small tent with any minor other than his or her own child.
- Employees and volunteers must accept personal responsibility to provide a Safe Environment for minors in all activities sponsored by the Diocese of Harrisburg.
- Employees and volunteers must report suspected incidents of sexual abuse to the pastor, administrator or appropriate supervisor; the Diocese of Harrisburg Youth Protection Hotline (800.626.1608); and the county Children and Youth Agency. Failure to report suspected abuse to civil authorities is in violation of canon, civil and criminal laws.
- Employees and volunteers must be knowledgeable of the mandated reporting requirements for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and follow these mandates.
- Employees and volunteers must seek professional assistance if he/she becomes aware of developing an unhealthy attraction to minors or if he/she frequently seeks their companionship (rather than that of adult peers).
- Employees and volunteers will not use physical affection to initiate inappropriate contact with minors or touch a minor in a sexual or other inappropriate manner.
- Employees and volunteers will not engage in any act of the sexual abuse of a minor, which is here defined as: any offense against the 6th commandment of the Decalogue with a minor. Such an offense must be an external, objectively grave violation and may include (but is not limited to): (1) any actual or attempted sexual contact with a minor; sexual voyeurism of a minor, including by not limited to acquisition, possession or distribution of obscene or pornographic materials or images of minors, or the employment, use persuasion, inducement, enticement or coercion of any person to engage in or assist any other person to engage in any sexually explicit conduct or posing, or any simulation of sexually explicit conduct or for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving minors; (3) any sexual harassment, which may include but not limited to: (a) derogatory verbal comments of a sexual nature, such as epithets, jokes, and slurs, or unwanted sexual advances; (b) displaying lewd visuals such as posters, photographs, cartoons, drawings or gestures including derogatory sexually oriented materials; (c) unwanted physical contact or sexual overtones that interfere with a person’s work or academic performance or that create an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or academic environment; (d) threats and demands to submit either to sexual requests as a condition of continued employment, other benefits, etc., or to avoid some other loss or offer of benefits in return for sexual favors; and (e) retaliation for having reported or threatened to report sexual harassment.
- Employees and volunteers will not use, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol or use tobacco products, while supervising minors at Church-sponsored activities or while serving as an official representative of the Church.
- Employees and volunteers will not purchase, download, possess, receive or distribute child pornography; nor possess, distribute, receive, or share any pornography while supervising minors at Church-sponsored activities, while on church property, or in the presence of minors.
- Employees and volunteers will not humiliate, ridicule, threaten, demean, or degrade minors nor tolerate such behaviors in the environment for which they are responsible; nor harm the reputation of others, including minors, by disclosing their faults or failings to persons who have no reason to know them, or by making false accusations against another individual.
- Employees and volunteers will not use physical discipline in any way for behavior management of minors. No form of physical discipline is acceptable. This includes but is not limited to: spanking, slapping, pinching, shaking, hitting or any other physical force as retaliation or correction for inappropriate behavior of a minor.
- Employees and volunteers will not use inappropriate expressions of affection with minors in any Church-sponsored activities or on church property, including but not limited to: lengthy embraces; kisses on the mouth; holding children on their lap who are capable of sitting on their own, touching bottoms, chests or genital areas; touching knees or legs; tickling, wrestling and piggyback rides; any type of massage, whether by a minor to an adult or to another minor or by an adult to a minor; sleeping in bed with a minor; any form of unwanted affection; compliments that relate to physique or body development; and any form of affection given to a minor in private.
- Employees and volunteers will not engage in any sexually oriented conversations with minors, except in the course of their teaching office or in response to specific questions, nor discuss any personal sexual activities, fantasies or frustrations.
- Employees and volunteers will not undress in the presence of minors nor enter a locker room or other dressing room for minors without at least one other adult present (with an exception for coaches).
The following standards enumerate the manner in which young people participating in church-related activities should conduct themselves for everything and everyone whom they come into contact.
- Youth should not possess or use illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or carry weapons of any kind.
- Youth are expected to follow all schedules, rules, guidelines and emergency procedure plans of the program and facility. This includes such as curfew, pager and cell phone use, check-in, going off site.
- Youth are to report any emergencies, concerns and safety issues immediately to adult leaders or chaperones.
- Youth should immediately notify adult leaders or chaperones when noticing a stranger or intruder.
- Youth should socialize only in public areas prior to curfew. No visiting is permitted in sleeping rooms occupied by members of the opposite sex.
- Youth are to obey directives from adult leaders or chaperones.
- Youth are to dress modestly and appropriately.
- Youth are to behave in a manner as not to hurt anyone verbally, emotionally, physically or sexually.
- Youth are to refrain from using profanity.
- Youth are to behave in a manner as to not put down, ridicule or make fun of another person.
- Youth are to be on time and participate in all planned activities.
- Youth are to wear a seatbelt and follow safe travel procedures when traveling.
- Youth are to work towards making the event a good and safe time for everyone.
Los siguientes estándares enumeran y limitan acciones inadecuadas particulares en el trato con los menores de edad y deben seguirlos todos los empleados adultos y voluntarios que sirven en la Diócesis de Harrisburg:
- Los empleados y los voluntarios tratarán a toda persona con respeto, paciencia, integridad, cortesía, dignidad, y consideración.
- Los empleados y los voluntarios ejercerán la precaución profesional prudente en todas las interacciones con los menores de edad.
- Los empleados y los voluntarios deben evitar situaciones de estar solos con los niños y/o la juventud, en las actividades patrocinadas por la Iglesia, en la propiedad de la Iglesia, o en cualquier capacidad donde sirven como representante oficial de la Iglesia.
- Los empleados y los voluntarios deben establecer claramente, los límites apropiados y los límites en todas las relaciones interpersonales con los menores de edad.
- Los empleados y los voluntarios no deben aceptar regalos costosos de niños y/o de la juventud o a sus padres sin la aprobación escrita anterior de su pastor o administrador.
- Los empleados y los voluntarios deben refrenarse de dar regalos costosos a los niños y/o juventud sin la aprobación escrita previa de los padres o el guardián legal y el pastor o el administrador.
- Deberán tener un número suficiente de acompañantes adultos para todos los viajes con los jóvenes, especialmente viajes nocturnos. Un adulto nunca deberá ser el único acompañante en cualquier viaje con los jóvenes. Todos los documentos de autorización o sea, investigación de antecedente criminal (background clearances) se deben obtener antes de que cualquier empleado o voluntario sirva de acompañante en cualquier viaje patrocinado por la Iglesia. Ningún adulto esta permitido permanecer durante la noche, en el mismo cuarto, cama, saco de dormir, o pequeña tienda de campaña (small tent) con menores de edad que no sean sus hijos.
- Los empleados y los voluntarios deben aceptar responsabilidad personal de proveer un ambiente seguro para los menores de edad en todas las actividades patrocinadas por la Diócesis de Harrisburg.
- Los empleados y los voluntarios deben reportar incidentes sospechosos de abusos sexuales al pastor, al administrador o al supervisor correspondiente; el teléfono directo para la protección de la juventud (Diocese of Harrisburg Youth Protection Hotline) en la Diócesis de Harrisburg (800.626.1608); y la agencia para la juventud (Children and Youth Agency). El no reportar actividad sospechosa de abuso a las autoridades civiles es violación de los derechos canónicos, civiles y las leyes penales.
- Los empleados y los voluntarios deben estar bien informados de los requisitos de información asignados por mandato para el estado de Pennsylvania (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania); también deben seguir estos mandatos.
- Los empleados y los voluntarios deben buscar ayuda profesional si él/ella desarrolla una atracción malsana hacia los menores de edad o si él/ella busca con frecuencia la compañía de ellos (en lugar de la de otros adultos).
- Los empleados y los voluntarios no utilizarán el afecto físico para iniciar contacto inapropiado con los menores de edad, ni deben tocar a un menor de edad en una manera sexual o en alguna otra forma inapropiada.
- Los empleados y los voluntarios no tomaran parte en ningún acto de abuso sexual de un menor de edad, que aquí se define como: cualquier ofensa contra el Sexto Mandamiento del decálogo con un menor de edad. Tal ofensa debe ser externa, una violación objetivamente grave y puede incluir (pero no se limita a): (1) contacto sexual real o intento de contacto sexual con un menor de edad; mirar a escondidas sexualmente (voyeurism) a un menor de edad, incluyendo, pero no limitado a la adquisición, posesión o distribución de material o imágenes obscenas o pornográficas conteniendo a menores de edad, o el empleo, la persuasión, el estímulo, la tentación o la coerción de cualquier persona para tomar parte en o para asistir a cualquier otra persona para tomar parte en conducta o presentación sexualmente explícita, o cualquier simulación de conducta sexualmente explicita o con el fin de producir cualquier pintura visual de conducta sexualmente explícita que implica a menores de edad; (3) cualquier acoso sexual, que pueda incluir pero no esta limitado a: (a) comentarios verbales despectivos de una naturaleza sexual, tales como epítetos, bromas, e insultos, o avances sexuales indeseados; (b) exhibición de representaciones visuales lascivas tales como carteles, fotografías, historietas, dibujos o gestos incluyendo los materiales sexuales de orientación despectiva; (c) contacto físico indeseado o insinuaciones sexuales que interfieren con el trabajo o el funcionamiento académico de una persona o que crean un ambiente de intimidación, hostilidad y ofensivo dentro del trabajo o el ambiente académico; (d) amenazas y demandas de someterse a las peticiones sexuales como condición para mantener el empleo, para obtener otros beneficios, ect., o para evitar una alguna pérdida de beneficios o ventajas a cambio de favores sexuales; y (e) la venganza hacia el reportaje o la amenaza de reportar el acoso sexual.
- Los empleados y los voluntarios no utilizarán, no poseerán, ni estarán bajo influencia del alcohol y no utilizarán productos de tabaco, mientras que supervisan a menores de edad en las actividades patrocinadas por la Iglesia o mientras que sirven como representantes oficiales de la Iglesia.
- Los empleados y los voluntarios no comprarán, no transferirán, no poseerán, no recibirán ni distribuirán pornografía infantil; ni poseerán, distribuirán, recibirán, o compartirán, cualquier pornografía mientras supervisan a menores de edad en las actividades patrocinadas por la Iglesia, en la propiedad de la iglesia, o en presencia de menores de edad.
- Los empleados y los voluntarios no humillarán, no pondrán en ridículo, no amenazarán, ni degradarán a menores de edad ni tolerarán tales comportamientos dentro del medio- ambiente en el cual son responsables; ni dañaran la reputación de otros, incluyendo a los menores de edad, divulgando sus faltas o defectos a personas que no tienen motivo para conocerlos, o haciendo acusaciones falsas contra otro individuo.
- Los empleados y los voluntarios no utilizarán castigo físico de ninguna forma para disciplinar a los menores de edad. No hay forma de disciplina física aceptable. Esto incluye pero no se limita a: una paliza, una palmada, el pellizcar, el sacudir, golpear o cualquier otra fuerza física utilizada como venganza o corrección por el comportamiento inadecuado de un menor de edad.
- Los empleados y los voluntarios no utilizarán expresiones inadecuadas de afecto con los menores de edad en ninguna actividad patrocinada por la Iglesia o en la propiedad de la Iglesia, incluyendo pero no limitadas a: abrazos muy largos; besos en la boca; el sentar a niños en la falda, quiénes son capaces de sentarse solos, tocándole la parte trasera, pecho o áreas genitales; tocándole las rodillas o piernas; haciéndole cosquillas, jugando a la lucha o cargándoles en las espaldas; cualquier tipo de masaje, sea por un menor de edad hacia un adulto o a otro menor de edad o por un adulto a un menor de edad; el dormir en una cama con un menor de edad; cualquier forma de afecto indeseado; elogios que se relacionan con el desarrollo o con la constitución del cuerpo; y cualquier forma de afecto dada a un menor de edad en privado.
- Los empleados y los voluntarios no se envolverán en conversaciones sexuales con los menores de edad, a menos que tengan que ver con el tema de estudio o como respuesta a preguntas específicas; no discutirán ninguna actividad sexual, fantasía o frustración personal.
- Los empleados y los voluntarios no se desnudarán en presencia de menores de edad ni entrarán en el vestuario o cualquier otro vestuario para los menores de edad sin por lo menos haber otro adulto presente (con una excepción para los entrenadores o coaches).
