Report from
the Office of Safe Environment
By Sister Joanne Lickvar, OSBM
Safe Environment Coordinator
As we begin a new year, it is time for anyone who had background clearances in 2020 to renew them. Those whose had clearances in January, February or March need to do it as soon as possible.
Forms can be found on the Archeparchial website www.archpitt.org. Click on the icon of the children and it will take you to the Safe Environment page. Scroll down for the forms and near the bottom is the PowerPoint to watch for the training. You need to provide copies of each of these to the chancery.
Those in Pennsylvania need the following:
n Criminal check
n History Certification
n Code of Ethics
n Training
n Authorization form
Those in other states need:
n Criminal check
n Code of Ethics
n Training
n Authorization form
Education is so important to stop child abuse from happening. This is not only for clergy, but for catechists, other employees and volunteers too. Because all of these, clergy, employees, catechists and volunteers represent the parish to outsiders. That is why they need a background clearance even if they do not directly work with children.
The more that parishioners know about abuse and the signs of abuse, the more we can keep our children safe and stop abuse from happening.
