CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte has updated its long-standing conduct policy for clergy, employees and adult volunteers who serve in its parishes, schools and ministries.
Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., promulgated the updated policy Feb. 19, marking the culmination of several years of collaboration by the diocese’s Safe Environment Office, Lay Review Board, Presbyteral Council and diocesan leadership. The conduct policy, which addresses sexual misconduct, abuse and harassment, was previously issued in 2003.
Updates mostly reflect practices that have been in place for a number of years, including the diocese’s transition in 2024 from Virtus Online to CMG Connect as its required Safe Environment education and training system. CMG Connect consolidated background screening, onboarding and training into a single platform for all Church personnel and adult volunteers serving in the diocese’s 93 parishes, 20 schools, and 50-plus agencies and ministries.
Other changes reflect updated terminology in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” as well as recent changes in North Carolina law.
Conduct policies specific to clergy and other people engaged in pastoral care were also moved out of the general employee policy into a separate addendum for improved clarity, aligning it with Church law and with the diocese’s current standards for counseling sessions, potential conflicts of interest and recordkeeping.
Compliance with the conduct policy continues to be mandatory for all priests, deacons, seminarians, men and women serving in religious orders, lay employees, and volunteers age 18 and older. Annual training and recertification also remain mandatory. Background checks, once completed through CMG Connect, are monitored on a quarterly basis for any potential criminal charges.
The updated policy is posted online at www.charlottediocese.org/offices/safe-environment.
“These updates simply bring our policy up to date with the diocese’s shift to CMG Connect, updated language used in the Charter, and with other changes over the years,” said David Vasquez, diocesan Safe Environment coordinator. “And it’s also a chance to reiterate our long-standing commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults.”
— Catholic News Herald