PENNSYLVANIA
Pittsburgh Catholic
Friday, October 30, 2015
By Ann Rodgers General Manager
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.
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