Safe Environment

Responsible Ministry

Responsible ministry means serving in the Church with clear boundaries, proper training, and care for the dignity and safety of every person.

The Eparchy's Safe Environment policy applies to clergy, religious, seminarians, employees, parish leaders, volunteers, and lay ministers who serve in parish and eparchial life. These standards help our communities remain places of trust, prayer, accountability, and care.

View Screening and Training Requirements Report a Concern

Ministry Built on Trust and Accountability

Every ministry of the Church is a relationship of trust. Whether someone serves as a priest, deacon, catechist, youth leader, pastoral visitor, staff member, council member, or volunteer, their role carries responsibility.

Responsible ministry helps protect those who are vulnerable and supports those who serve. It provides clear expectations so that ministry can be carried out with integrity, respect, and appropriate boundaries.

Safe pastoral relationships
Clear standards of conduct
Respect for privacy and confidentiality
Appropriate boundaries in ministry
Accountability for clergy, staff, and volunteers
Proper reporting of concerns

Everyone Who Serves Has a Role

Safe Environment procedures apply to all parish and eparchial individuals providing ministry.

Bishops, priests, deacons, sub-deacons, and lectors
Religious, monastics, and seminarians
Parish and eparchial employees
Parish leaders and council members
Volunteers in parish or eparchial ministries
Lay ministers serving children, youth, seniors, or vulnerable adults
Those entrusted with Church property, finances, keys, or confidential information

The goal is not to create suspicion around ministry. The goal is to create consistent safeguards so that every person can serve and be served with confidence.

Commitments That Protect the Community

Those who serve in ministry are expected to follow Eparchial Safe Environment procedures according to their role. These procedures may include screening, training, signed commitments, and ongoing accountability.

Completing required screening before beginning ministry
Following the Code of Pastoral Conduct
Following the Electronic Communication and Technology Policy
Signing the Covenant of Care
Respecting appropriate boundaries
Protecting private and confidential information
Reporting abuse, misconduct, bullying, harassment, or unsafe behaviour

What Is Abuse?

Abuse is behaviour that causes a person to fear for their physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, financial, or spiritual safety and well-being. Abuse may or may not be criminal in nature.

A key factor in many forms of abuse is a power imbalance. This can happen when a person is exploited by someone in a position of authority, trust, age, responsibility, or influence.

Physical abuse

The use or threat of force or power to control, injure, restrict, or harm another person. Physical abuse does not have to leave a visible mark.

Verbal abuse

The use of language to manipulate, ridicule, threaten, belittle, humiliate, or show contempt for another person.

Emotional abuse

Behaviour that damages a person's dignity, confidence, sense of safety, or emotional well-being.

Sexual abuse

Any inappropriate, unwanted, exploitative, or non-consensual sexual interaction, including any sexual interaction involving a minor or vulnerable person.

Financial abuse

The misuse, theft, or exploitation of a vulnerable person's money or property, including Church funds or property.

Bullying, harassment, and grooming

Behaviour that creates a hostile, intimidating, offensive, or unsafe environment, or a pattern of manipulation used to gain access, secrecy, control, or time alone with a child or vulnerable adult.

Who Is Vulnerable?

Vulnerable persons include children, youth, the elderly, and anyone who may be at risk because of age, disability, illness, trauma, crisis, emotional distress, desperate social or material need, or any circumstance that limits their ability to protect themselves from harm.

Church money and Church property are considered vulnerable entities because financial abuse can occur through intentional misuse or theft for personal or private gain.

How the Eparchy Supports Responsible Ministry

The Eparchy of Edmonton is responsible for establishing, reviewing, and maintaining Safe Environment policies across its ministries and parishes.

Developing and maintaining Safe Environment policy
Reviewing and updating the policy every five years
Appointing an Eparchial Safe Environment Coordinator
Establishing a Safe Environments Advisory Committee
Ensuring clergy and eparchial employees are properly screened
Facilitating Safe Environment Training for those who require it
Establishing a Victim's Care Committee to support those affected by abuse