Instituting such a program is among the changes called for by bishops in the United States in the wake of the priest sexual abuse scandal, said Sister Mary Alice Kline, a member of the Sisters of Mercy order, which is running the program for the diocese.

The program is separate from training that candidates for the priesthood receive.

Representatives of the National Catholic Risk Retention Group Inc. will train local facilitators who in turn will provide training to employees and volunteers at the parish level. A shareholder-owned private company, the risk retention group was originally formed to help Catholic parishes manage insurance risk. In numerous lawsuits involving sex abuse by priests, the church has faced large damage payments for failing to provide adequate protection for children.

The program is one of the "VIRTUS" services offered by the company, which translated from the Latin means "valor, moral strength, excellence and worth."

Religious education teachers, those working in children's liturgy programs, recreational volunteers and parish staff are among those being asked to participate in the program.

Facilitator training will take place over two to three days. A session is planned Sept. 19-20 at St. Mark Parish Center in West Hartford.

An "awareness session," the name given to the training at the parish level, will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 22 at the St. Andrew Parish Center, 128 Norwich Ave., Colchester. Anyone interested in participating and learning more about how the program works can call Kline at 848-2237, ext. 203. Registrations must be made by Monday.

The program offered at the parish level takes three to four hours, Kline said.

There has been some concern that volunteers who work with children might be discouraged from doing do so if they have to participate in the program, particularly given the sensitive subject nature, Kline said. But there has been substantial interest in the facilitator program, she said, suggesting that the program is being welcomed by Catholics in the diocese.

"The experience in other parts of the country has been that once they experience it, they are sold on the program," she said.

Among the program's goals, Kline said, are to teach those who work with children the warning signs of potential abuse, what to do if they suspect abuse, and how to avoid situations that expose children to potential abuse.