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Since 2003, the Diocese of Buffalo has followed the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ policies and mandates for providing a safe environment for children. Our parish holds your children’s safety as our highest priority.
Below are requirements and protocols that our parish, school, Family Faith Formation, and Youth Ministry programs follow:
St. Greg’s employees and volunteers who work with children are screened through reference and criminal background checks.
St. Greg’s employees and volunteers who work with children must take a three-hour Virtus Training, called Protecting God’s Children, which trains adults in recognizing the signs of abuse and reporting procedures. In addition, they must read continuing education bulletins monthly.
We comply with all reporting requirements from the Diocese of Buffalo.
We remind all our staff and volunteers of the crucial nature of their responsibility on behalf of the Church and that their vigilance is essential to the safety of all our children.
Employees and volunteers not in compliance with the above safe environment mandates are notified, and their status is suspended until they are in compliance.
All rooms where children’s programs and activities occur have windows in the doors. One-on-one contact between an adult and a child is not permitted behind closed doors. Any meeting or discussion that would require doors closed must be conducted in view of other adults.
We have cameras throughout our School, in the Ministry Center, Church, Sacristy, and Parish Office.
All employees and volunteers sign and agree to the Diocesan Code of Conduct, which mandates, “all who work with children have a legal, moral, and religious responsibility to educate and assist our children and will not promote harm.” For the full Code of Conduct, visit the Diocese of Buffalo website.
Children, beginning in Kindergarten, (with parental approval) are trained on personal safety issues, age appropriately. This also includes helping children know it is always okay to report incidents that make them uncomfortable or suspicious of an adult.
All reports are taken seriously and will result in a thorough investigation