Policies+for+Maintaining+Ethical+Ministry+with+Minors+-+2023+FINAL - Flipbook - Page 5
4. Off-site Events
a.
Brothers are prohibited from transporting minors without written permission of their parent or guardian.
b.
Brothers are prohibited from unnecessary and/or inappropriate physical contact with minors while in vehicles.
c.
Minors should be transported directly to their destination. No unplanned stops should be made.
d.
Brothers are prohibited from having minors stay at their residences. Requests for exceptions require the approval of
the Visitor and should be submitted to the Visitor in writing two weeks prior to the visit.
5. Standards for Interaction with Minors Via Digital Media
a.
Should individual contact with a minor via digital media become necessary in the ministerial setting, the Brother will
follow the policy of the pastoral employer regarding digital interaction with minors. If the requirements of this Policy
and a pastoral employer’s policy contradict each other, the Brother must follow the stricter of the two requirements.
If the pastoral employer does not have a policy regarding digital interaction with minors, the Brother will adhere to this
Policy.
b.
Brothers must have written permission from a minor’s parent or guardian before contacting the minor via text message, email, social media site, telephone, or other means of electronic or digital communication, or before posting
pictures, video, or other information that may identify that minor.
c.
Parents or guardians must have access to everything provided to their children. For example, parents or guardians
must be made aware of the way social media is being used, be told how to access the sites, and be copied on all material sent to their children via social networking, including text messages and emails.
d.
If a Brother receives an unsolicited private electronic or digital communication from a minor, the Brother will alert a
superior about the private communication and forward the communication. Brothers must not respond to the minor
except to state that any one-to-one electronic or digital communications are prohibited by the District. If the minor
reveals abuse or inappropriate interactions with an adult, the Brother must report this information, pursuant to the
requirements of this Policy.
6. Minors Who Are Family Members of a Brother
There is more latitude allowed for travel and lodging arrangements, electronic or digital communication, and expressions of affection with minors who are members of a Brother’s family. These actions typically take place outside of a
ministerial context and appropriateness can be guided by family customs and culture.
7. Training for Brothers who Work With Minors
a.
The District will educate its Brothers ,regarding the prevalence, identification, and prevention of sexual abuse of minors, giving special attention to topics which are of unique relevance to Religious. All Brothers serving in any way in a
ministry will participate in these ongoing educational programs, not just the Brothers involved with minors.”
b.
Educational programs may be provided by the organizations in which Brothers are employed, such as a diocese, hospital or school. If so, Brothers are expected to participate in such programs and abide by the regulations set forth for
their local ministry.
c.
On-going educational programs may be provided at the local, District, or national level for all Brothers. No program or
presentation may be repeated over two consecutive years. Such programs must include a variety of topics, supporting in as broad a scope as possible, the prevention of sexual abuse of minors. The Brothers will commit at least one
hour per year of the accreditation cycle to this continuing education.
d.
Only the Brother Visitor may excuse a Brother due to physical or mental difficulties from attending educational programs addressing the sexual abuse of a minor. This exception may be made only in the case of a Brother who is not/
will not be involved in public ministry.
e.
Brothers shall review this Policy at least once every accreditation cycle and agree in writing to comply with it.
f.
Brothers who are returning from ministry outside of the U.S. as well as international Brothers who are coming for ministry or study within the U.S. and who are not Brothers of the Midwest District, or who belong to a different religious
community, must complete an educational plan in accord with this Policy.
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