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Archbishop of Wellington, the Most Reverend John Dew is requiring priests, parish volunteers and employees who work in schools to undergo police vetting.
He will also go through the process himself.
Archbishop Dew, Tuesday, wrote to all priests and deacons in the Archdiocese saying that following recent incidents throughout the country, the Education Review Office requires police vetting for all volunteers who visit schools regularly.
The Archbishop said the question was raised because priests work in schools, and often attend school camps, picnics, sports days etc.
The Archbishop told CathNews that priests and deacons should be like all other volunteers who visit schools regularly.
“As pastors and chaplains we are in a privileged, sacred and trusted position. Therefore it is essential that we are open, transparent in undertaking a police vet which is required for all other volunteers who visit a school regularly.
“Undertaking to complete the vetting process is one way that we can honour our commitment to learning from our past and providing transparency and reassurance to those who trust us,” he said.
Archbishop Dew is confident priests will respond positively to his request.
“Priests have already indicated to me that they appreciate the request to do so because it offers another opportunity to reassure people that we have the wellbeing and safety of our children as our first priority,” he told CathNews.
He is also asking that parish volunteers and employees also go through the vetting process.
When asked what impact he thought this might have on volunteers, for example helping coach sport in a school, the Archbishop was clear that we are living in different times, and that he sees police vetting as becoming a normal part of ministry, of working with young people.
In an attached “Consent to disclosure of information” form, the archdiocese points out the police vetting process is not a complete background check.
It says the police vetting involves a check for convictions and a search of other information held by the police, including whether a person, even if not convicted, has any record of violent or sexual behaviour.
The Archdiocese says strict procedures are in place to protect the privacy of those being vetted to avoid inappropriate information being released by either the New Zealand Police or the Archdiocese.
The archbishop has appointed Mr David Mullin as the Archdiocesan Vetting Officer who will receive a summary of the police report.
Police vetting status lasts only for three years. Priests and youth workers who continue working with young people need to complete the vetting process every three years.
The police vetting process is free.
On Tuesday, CathNews reported that in Pope Francis’ first public statement on clerical sex abuse he called for decisive action in the promotion of measures for child protection.
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