By Eric Girten
Diocesan Vice Chancellor
Every child is a sacred gift, created in the image and likeness of God. Protecting his or her physical, mental, emotional and sexual safety is not merely a legal or social duty; it is a profound spiritual mandate. As stewards of these “little ones,” we are called to mirror Christ’s own protective love, ensuring that schools and parishes are places where the dignity of the human person is always upheld. Here, we also include vulnerable adults who are childlike in their mental and emotional capacity to understand the world around them.
Physical safety is an expression of our respect for the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. Providing children with secure homes, nourishment and protection from harm honors the life God has breathed into them. When children’s basic physical needs are met, they are free to grow in stature and wisdom, unburdened by the fear that stunts the soul’s natural development. Protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation is a responsibility of every adult in our diocese. Sexual trauma shatters a child’s sense of bodily autonomy and trust.
Ensuring sexual safety involves more than just monitoring; it requires age-appropriate education. The Diocese of Evansville utilizes the Circle of Grace program to educate our youth about safety and wellbeing.
Furthermore, the diocese continues to follow the guidance of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ document, The “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and Essential Norms,” which stipulates that each bishop must establish a review board to function as a confidential, consultative body to the bishop on matters related to the response of the local church to issues surrounding the sexual abuse of minors by priests and deacons.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. We take this time to pause and renew our resolve to ensure the safety and well-being of our youth. The diocese utilizes a variety of tools to carry out our safe environment ministry, including:
- Youth safe environment training through Circle of Grace
- Criminal background checks and safe environment training for all clergy, employees and volunteers
- An active Review Board
- Diocesan roles directly related to safe environment efforts: Safe Environment Coordinator, Victim Assistance Coordinator, Parish Youth Protection Coordinators
- Annual USCCB Safe Environment Audit
For additional information, go to https://www.evdio.org/safe-environment.html.
Eric Girten serves as the Diocese of Evansville’s Vice Chancellor and Safe Environment Coordinator.