The Charter to Protect Children and Young People enacted by the U.S. Bishops in 2002, and the subsequent Church norms approved by the Vatican, give every diocese the mandate to establish educational and training programs that will help everyone to recognize and deal effectively with the problem of child sexual abuse.
To fulfill this requirement, the Diocese has chosen the “Protecting God’s Children for Adults” component of VIRTUS, which is aimed at establishing and maintaining a safe environment for all children. The VIRTUS programs have been developed by The National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Inc. of Lisle, Ill., a non-profit organization that provides risk control services to one-third of the Catholic dioceses in the U.S., including the Diocese of Scranton.
VIRTUS Sessions
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Mary, Mother of God Parish, Scranton
6:30 P.M.
For more information, call 342-4881.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Misericordia University, Dallas
4:00 PM
The session will be held in the McGowan Room, Bevevino Library
For more information, call 674-6400.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Pocono Pines
12:00 P.M.
For more information, call 646-6424.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
St. Ann’s Basilica
1250 St. Ann Street
Scranton
2:00 p.m.
St. Gabriel Room – Lower Church
Call Kathy at 344-8408.
VIRTUS, derived from the Latin word meaning moral strength and excellence, represented a behavior and way of life in ancient times that aspired to the highest moral code and appropriate human interaction. The modern-day program which carries its name aspires to uphold these values.
Safe Environment Children’s Program
The national Charter to Protect Children and Young People also requires each diocese to set up a safety education program for children.
The safety education program for students in grades K-12 teaches them how to recognize and avoid situations that could lead to sexual abuse. It also encourages communication between children and their parents so that dangerous situations and incidents are reported promptly.
The Safe Environment programs for adults and children are ongoing. They are vital components of the Diocese of Scranton’s continuing commitment to ensure safe environments for all children. For more information on this commitment, please click here on Resources for Parents and Catechists.
