Church personnel who interact with minors (persons under the age of 18) shall promote open and trustworthy relationships between minors and adults.
3.1 | Church personnel who work with a minor shall have training appropriate to their level of responsibility. Church personnel shall seek and receive archdiocesan approved training regarding appropriate boundaries and conduct with minors. |
3.2 | Appropriate conduct and interactions between church personnel and a minor can contribute to a minor’s development and is a positive part of Church and ministry. |
3.3 | Inappropriate conduct and interactions between church personnel and a minor can cause harm to a minor’s development and well-being, and shall never occur. Appropriate boundaries must be established and respected. Church personnel may not engage in sexual or inappropriate physical contact with a minor. Sexualized touch is never appropriate. Any interaction with a minor that is a “secret” is not appropriate. |
3.4 | Church personnel who work with a minor shall be aware that physical contact can be misconstrued. Church personnel shall be aware of a minor’s vulnerability as well as their own. |
3.5 | Church personnel shall never physically discipline a minor.< |