Local and State News & Features Diocese to Fingerprint All Clergy, Workers

By Ann Rodger
Pittsburgh Catholic
October 30, 2015

http://www.pittsburghcatholic.org/News/Diocese-to-fingerprint-all-clergy--workers-

In response to new Pennsylvania child protection laws, the Diocese of Pittsburgh now requires FBI background checks and fingerprinting of all diocesan clergy, employees and many volunteers. This is in addition to the state child abuse and criminal background checks that the diocese has required for more than a decade.

To make these new requirements easier for volunteers and employees, the diocese has purchased a mobile fingerprint unit that can be taken to parishes and schools. At the same time, the diocese has instituted online training for its required “Protecting God’s Children” course and also for the mandated reporter training now required for those who are legally obligated to report suspected child abuse. Links to that training can be found at www.diopitt.org in the left-hand column below “Protecting God’s Children.”

Phyllis Haney, director of the diocesan Department for Protection of Children and Young People, is available to answer questions and to visit parishes to explain the new policies.

“I used to be a parish safe environment coordinator, and I understand how challenging this can be. I am here to help and support all of you in our parishes and schools, so that our children can be safe and secure,” she said. Haney can be reached at 412-456-5633 or e-mail phaney@diopitt.org.

Everyone who cares about the well-being of children should welcome this new level of protection, said Father Lawrence DiNardo, vicar general and diocesan general secretary.

“We follow a Savior whose love for children was so great that he called all of us to care for them. This is why, for many years, the Diocese of Pittsburgh has exceeded all child protection requirements of both civil law and the ‘Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.’ We are dedicated to doing our utmost to ensure that children and youth in the care of the church come to no harm of any kind,” he said.

“Obtaining clearances can seem onerous, especially to those who have served so faithfully and well in our parishes for years. But we already know of instances when this process has kept potentially dangerous people out of positions where they could have harmed children. If going through these procedures saves even one child from abuse, it is worth some inconvenience on our part,” Father DiNardo said.

Bishop David Zubik, most clergy and seminarians have already been fingerprinted. All clergy and full- or part-time diocesan and parish employees must be fingerprinted by Dec. 31, 2015. Current volunteers have until July 1 to be fingerprinted. New hires and new volunteers must have their fingerprints taken and their background checks completed before starting service.

Fingerprints and background checks are required for all school volunteers, with some exceptions for those who have lived continuously in Pennsylvania for the last 10 years. The 10-year residency exemption is also available to those parish volunteers who otherwise would be required to have their fingerprints taken. The diocese continues its policy that any parish volunteer who might have direct access to children while doing that service must comply with all child protection requirements.

School or parish volunteers who have lived continuously in Pennsylvania for the last 10 years may choose to sign a “volunteer disclosure statement” declaring that they have not been convicted of any of about two dozen specific crimes. That is not an option for clergy or employees.

All background checks and disclosure statements must be renewed every five years.

For volunteers, the parish or school is required to cover the cost of fingerprinting and background checks. New employees are required to pay for their fingerprinting and background checks. Background check renewal costs for current employees are the responsibility of the parish. Each school may decide whether the school or the employee is responsible for renewal costs.

Pennsylvania recently reduced the price of obtaining a state Criminal History Report and a Department of Human Services report on child abuse history so that they cost $8 for employees and are free for volunteers. According to rates set by the state, the cost for fingerprinting school employees and volunteers is $27.50. The cost for everyone else is $25.75.