Volunteering - Safe Environment

Safe Environment for Children and Background Checks

All Catholic Church employees in the Diocese of Charleston and all volunteers who have contact with children under the age of 18, vulnerable adults, drive for the parish, or handle money must complete safe environment training for adults and undergo a background check before beginning employment or volunteer service. In these and other ways, we are dedicated to preserving a safe and healthy environment for all entrusted to our care.

The Diocese of Charleston provides several resources to help every parish be a safe environment for children. At the same time, the Diocese also provides the means to report an allegation of abuse and request victim's assistance. These resources can be found by visiting the Diocese of Charleston website.

Before 2017, the Diocese of Charleston used the Virtus: Protecting God’s Children program. Beginning 1 January 2017, the diocese transitioned to a new online program, Safe Haven – It’s Up to You. All new employees and volunteers and those who need to be retrained must complete the Safe Haven course.

If you are interested in volunteering at St. Theresa’s or need to receive Safe Haven training or complete a background check, please contact our Safe Environment Coordinator with any questions. The necessary forms are available below.

St. Theresa’s Safe Environment Coordinator:

Leslie McGowan
Office@StTheresaChurch.com

STLF@CharlestonDiocese.org
(843) 875-5002

A PRAYER FOR HEALING
Almighty and most loving God, through your Son your compassion
brought healing to many.
We ask for your healing once more for all who have been profoundly
wounded by abuse, especially those who have been hurt by your
ministers. In your mercy, we also ask for forgiveness. Words cannot
fully express the sorrow we have for the great harm done by those
called to be trusted. In your goodness, we ask for the grace
to be a source of healing to all who have been abused and to be ever
vigilant in protecting all your people. Grant, we pray, our prayers for
healing and forgiveness, for we ask them through your Son, Christ our
Lord. Amen