safe environment

Code of Conduct

In the spirit of the Gospels, personnel who minister and work in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester must always seek to uphold Christian values and conduct. Christ calls us as his disciples to a high standard, the same standard he lived and taught. The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, promulgated by the bishops of the United States, calls for “clear and well-publicized diocesan/eparchial standards of ministerial behavior and appropriate boundaries for clergy and for any other church personnel in positions of trust who have regular contact with children and young people.” (Art. 6) The following Code of Conduct instructs all who minister and work in our faith communities on appropriate ethical standards.

All adults who are paid, volunteer, religious communities and clergy (bishops, priests [diocesan and religious], deacons and seminarians) must complete VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children® for Adults training, which includes recertification training is to be completed every five-years.

In accordance with the Charter for the Protection of Children or Young People, when a priest, religious or deacon, not incardinated in the diocese, is to engage in ministry in the diocese, regardless of the length of time, the verification of his signed Code of Conduct may be satisfied through a written attestation of suitability for ministry supplied by his proper ordinary/major superior to the diocese. This includes all international, temporarily assigned and visiting priest, religious or deacon.