Safe environment training
sessions held throughout diocese

   In a continuing program to provide for the safety of our young people training sessions for Safe Environment Coordinators and pastors throughout the diocese were held in three locations: Rapid City, Faith and Winner.

    Father Dan Juelfs, Sheila Kari-Johnson, Robert Aberle and Jim Kinyon conducted sessions to support the work of the individual parishes in providing the education and training for parents, teachers, and students called for in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The American bishops mandated last year that programs be put in place throughout the United States to provide for the safety of our young people.

    While the diocese has had a Sexual Misconduct Policy in place since 1993, the new program mandates background checks for anyone who has regular contact with young people, a defined Code of Conduct for those working with young people, and educational programs for all of our people.

   Following the recommendation of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, a committee was established to choose an educational program that would be consistent throughout the diocese and offer age appropriate materials for all.

    After some study the committee recommended to Bishop Blase Cupich a four video tape program consisting of a session for parents, one for preschool through grade one, one for second through sixth grades and one for seventh grade through high school.

This education program is to be put in place this school year with a date of December 1 being determined as a time when the educational programs are to be completed in each parish.

    In accord with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s mandate, this program is to be ongoing with annual educational sessions.

    “While such a program places additional demands on those who are volunteering their time in the various educational and spiritual programs in our parishes throughout the diocese, the need to provide a Safe Environment for all our people is a very important part of our task to make the care of God known in our diocese,” said Father Juelfs.