The Diocese of Gary is committed to protecting the most vulnerable, our children, young people and vulnerable adults through education, awareness and procedures.
Our Diocese began the work of addressing the issue of child sexual abuse in the early 1990’s. Bishop Melczek and clergy of our Diocese at the time established the Sexual Misconduct Toward Minors and Others at Risk in July of 1993. To implement this policy and its revisions, a Safe Environment has been established in order to:
- Provide a safe and secure environment for children and young people in the faith communities within our Diocese of Gary
- Assist the Diocese in evaluating a person’s suitability to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults
- Satisfy the concerns of parents and staff members with a screening process
- Provide a system to respond to the victims and their families as well as the accused
- Reduce the possibility of false accusations against clergy, employees and volunteers
Requirements
Our Diocese requires that all diocesan clergy, religious, international priests, employees and volunteers who have contact with children, young people and vulnerable adults complete the following requirements:
- Register with VIRTUS Online
- Safe Environment Training through VIRTUS – Protecting God’s Children for Adults
- Background check and required document renewal every five years
- Complete 24 ongoing monthly VIRTUS online informational bulletins
VIRTUS
Log into the VIRTUS website (virtusonline.org) to register for a training session, complete your background check, complete training bulletins, and more.
Visiting Clergy
As is stated in the Charter for the Protection of Children or Young People, when a priest or deacon, not incardinated in the diocese, is to engage in ministry in the diocese, regardless of the length of time, the evaluation of his background may be satisfied through a written attestation of suitability for ministry supplied by his proper ordinary/major superior to the diocese.
Letters of suitability may be sent to Very Rev. Jon J. Plavcan, Vicar for Clergy, at jplavcan@dcgary.org
Contact Us
Cheryl Sopo – Victim Assistance Coordinator, 219.588.9089
Kelly Venegas – Chief Human Resources Officer and Bishop McClory’s Delegate for Sexual Misconduct Cases, 219.769.9292 x224 kvenegas@dcgary.org
Kathy Lafakis – Safe Environment Coordinator, 219.769.9292 x280 klafakis@dcgary.org