Does the diocese have a standard Code of Conduct for all personnel
working in ministry with Protected Individuals?

Yes. The diocesan Code of Ethics and Behavior for Adults who Minister with
Minors and Vulnerable Adults in the Diocese of Baton Rouge (the Code of
Ethics and Behavior) is a foundational safe environment building block. All
personnel, including bishops, priests, seminarians, deacons, deacon
candidates, employees, employees under contract and volunteers must agree
to follow the diocesan Code of Ethics and Behavior. The Code of Ethics and
Behavior is available on the child protection page of the diobr.org website
and in print form at every diocesan institution upon request.

Does the diocese have an official protocol for reporting abuse and where
can I find it?

Yes. The document titled Code of Ethics and Behavior for Adults who
Minister with Minors and Vulnerable Adults in the Diocese of Baton Rouge is
where the diocesan protocol for reporting the sexual abuse of minors and
vulnerable adults may be found. Additionally, the protocol is listed on the
diocesan website and must be formally posted in a conspicuous place in
every church, school and agency of the diocese of Baton Rouge. The diocesan
protocol for reporting abuse mandates that all suspected abuse must be
reported to the proper civil authority. Phone numbers for reporting abuse
to each civil authority and agency as appropriate are listed on the
diocesan protocol as well as on the diobr.org website under the How to
Report Abuse section.

Where can I find information for reporting complaints against bishops for
abuse or concerns in dealing with abuse?

A link to Catholic Bishops Abuse Reporting (CBAR) portal is posted on
diobr.org under the How to Report Abuse section. Individuals may go to
ReportBishopAbuse.org or call (800) 276-1562 in order to make a report.

How do I know if I need to get a background check to work or volunteer in
a diocesan institution?

All authorized agents operating in ministries of the diocese must be
sponsored for diocesan-issued child protection credentials by a diocesan
institution. The Office of Child and Youth Protection Policy and Procedure
Manual defines all roles requiring the child protection credential. Consult
your local church, school, or agency Child Protection Site Coordinator for
information on applying for diocesan child protection credentials.

How often do diocesan child protection credential holders have to get
new background checks?

The background check policy of the diocese requires active child protection
credential holders to submit to a criminal history recheck every five years.

Do International priests and temporarily-assigned parish priests have to
get background checks and letters of suitability in order to minister in the
diocese of Baton Rouge?

Yes. International religious priests or those who are incardinated in other
dioceses must obtain diocesan child protection credentials prior to assuming
an assignment in a diocesan institution. A criminal background check is
required for child protection credential applicants. In addition, they must
have what is referred to as a “Testimonial of Suitability” from their religious
superior or diocesan bishop that meets diocesan standards.

Where can i find access to diocesan child abuse education and prevention
training for adults and do Clergy have to take the training as well?

A link to the diocesan CAPS (Compass Abuse Prevention Services) system is
located on the child protection page of the diobr.org website. All individuals
applying for diocesan child protection credentials must complete training in
the CAPS system. The name of the program required for obtaining basic child
protection credentials in the diocese is Serving Vulnerable Populations and
the Diocesan Code of Ethics.. All personnel, including Clergy, must obtain
child protection credentials and therefore, must complete the diocesan child
abuse education and prevention training of the diocese.

Do International priests and temporarily-assigned parish priests have to
take the diocesan child abuse education and prevention training?

Yes. As indicated above, when international religious priests or those who are
incardinated in other dioceses complete their background checks, they also
complete the Serving Vulnerable Adults and the Diocesan Code of Ethics
training prior to being issued child protection credentials.

Do all volunteers have to take the diocesan child abuse education and
prevention training?

Yes. All volunteers applying to minister with minors or vulnerable adults in
diocesan institutions must apply for child protection credentials. One must
complete the Serving Vulnerable Adults and the Diocesan Code of Ethics
training to obtain diocesan child protection credentials.

What about children enrolled in diocesan institutions? Do they receive
child abuse education and prevention training?

The Charter for the Protection of Children and Youth People requires safe
environment training be provided for all, including children. Minors enrolled
in diocesan schools and church catechetical programs in grades K-12, receive
the diocesan approved child abuse education and prevention training, Circle
of Grace. Each year parents of children enrolled in diocesan programs receive
a letter indicating the date and time the annual training will take place.
Parents are given information on how to review the lesson their child will
receive and how to opt out if they do not wish for their child to receive the
training.

Where can I find information on how to contact the diocesan Office of
Child and Youth Protection?

Contacting the diocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection is simple.
Contact information is located on the child protection page of diobr.org. You
can feel free to call us or send an email to [email protected].

How do I know if our diocese is passing the child protection audits
required by the USCCB?

The diocese is audited annually by the Stonebridge Auditing Firm.
Information regarding the most recent audit is located on diobr.org under
Audits and Findings link on the child protection page.

What is the diocesan Independent Review Board and what do they do?

The diocesan Independent Review Board (IRB) is a confidential consultative
body that assists the bishop in reviewing allegations of abuse against clerics.
This board consists of a majority of lay members who are not employed by the
diocese. The Chair of the IRB is a layperson who is not employed by the
diocese. The members of the IRB are notified of all allegations of abuse of
protected individuals. That IRB consists of nine but no more than fifteen
voting members, with no more than two non-Catholic members. The voting
members consist of at least one priest who is an experienced and respected
pastor of the Diocese, at least one person who has particular clinical
experience in the treatment of abuse of Minors, at least one person who has
particular clinical experience in the treatment of sexual abuse of Vulnerable
Adults; at least one person who is a criminal justice professional, at least one
lawyer, at least one doctor or medical professional, and at least one educator.

Is there a list of credibly accused clergy including bishops living and
deceased from the diocese posted on the diocesan website? Does the list
include credibly accused laicized/dismissed clergy including bishops of
the Diocese?

Yes. The diocese has made public its list of credibly accused clerics. This list is
updated annually and is posted prominently on the diobr.org child protection
page. The list includes credibly accused bishops and dismissed/laicized
clergy. Additionally, the list indicates the dates of the allegations and all
institutions where the cleric was assigned in the diocese.

Where can I find information on the Victim Assistance program of the
diocese?

VAC information can be found under the How to Report Abuse section of the
diobr.org website. Professional counseling referrals and pastoral care are
foundational parts of the diocesan VAC program. Counseling assistance is
provided to anyone victimized as a child or vulnerable adult by personnel of
the diocese, including their affected family members.