The Archdiocese of Cincinnati and St. Francis Seraph Parish requires all adult volunteers 18 and older, out of high school, who intend to work or volunteer with children to complete Safe Parish. Volunteers must complete a background check, receive training, and complete ongoing continuing education.

The Safe Parish program educates and trains adults (clergy, religious, teachers, staff, volunteers, parents) about the dangers of abuse, the warning signs of abuse, ways to prevent abuse, methods of properly reporting suspicions of abuse, and responding to allegations of abuse.

No individual, organization, or ministry is exempt from being certified.

  • What is the history of Child Protection in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati?

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati implemented its initial Child Protection Decree in 1993. Every 5 years, this Decree has been revised and promulgated to the clerics, employees and volunteers of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, its parishes and institutions.

In 2011, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) conducted an audit of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Child Protection Awareness process and recommended that it adopt a nationally recognized program for child protection. The Archdiocese chose The National Catholic Retention Group, Inc. program entitled VIRTUS(R). Cincinnati became the 129th diocese in the U.S. to use the VIRTUS(R) program.

  • What is Safe Parish

Safe Parish is a brand name that identifies best practices programs designed to help prevent wrongdoing and promote “right-doing” within religious organizations. The VIRTUS(R) programs empower organizations and people to better protect our children from abuse in our homes, parishes, and communities.