Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
 Lake Geauga District Website

VIRTUS Program
"Protecting God's Children"


 

 

The Diocese of Cleveland holds the protection of children as one of their highest priorities. To this end, the Diocese adopted a Policy for the Safety of Children in Matters of Sexual Abuse in 2003 and updated it in 2007. This policy requires that education and training in the recognition and prevention of sexual abuse towards minor children be given to all Diocesan employees and to all volunteers who come in regular contact with children. This program is titled VIRTUS. 

For parish volunteers, the VIRTUS program requirements include the following 5 activities:

1. Attend a live VIRTUS training session and read 24 followup bulletins over a two year period. To register for a VIRTUS training session, sign up on the web at www.virtus.org. After completing the training, one bulletin will be posted to your VIRTUS account each month for you to read.

2. Submit electronic fingerprints to the State of Ohio through BCII for a criminal background check.

 3. Read the booklet: Policy for the Safety of Children in Matters of Sexual Abuse: Revised, 2007 and then print and sign the Acknowledgement Form

4. Read the booklet: Standards of Conduct For Ministry and then print and sign the Acknowledgement Form

 5. Complete a volunteer application. 

Click on the links above to view and/or print the booklets and acknowledgement forms.

Each parish administers their own program and may have additional requirements. For more information contact your local parish or go to the VIRTUS website.