Dear Friends in Christ,

As the Bishop of the Catholic Community of the Diocese of Sioux City, I am committed to the Safe Environment Program present in our Diocese.  The goal of this program is to help insure that all children and young people feel safe, as they come to our programs designed to help them grow in their Catholic faith and in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ in our parishes and schools.  All those who work with them including priests, teachers, catechists, volunteers, employees and parishioners and others must understand that we have a sacred responsibility to provide a safe place for children and young people. 

The policies and practices outlined in this booklet include important information about our belief that the Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Sioux City must maintain and support a comprehensive plan to insure that all children are protected and safe.  As Bishop of our diocese, I join the efforts of many other parish and school leaders who work daily to insure that all of our programs are staffed with persons who care deeply about the welfare of our children and youth. 

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.”  Join me in our efforts to make sure that all children who come to Christ in our churches, schools and organizations do so in an environment that is safe, holy and respectful for them. 

Your Brother in Christ,

The Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City

In response to the Charter for the Protection of Children as adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Dallas in June of 2002, the Diocese of Sioux City has created a safe environment program that includes:

• The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People: A Policy of the Diocese of Sioux City
• The Code of Ethical Stanards for All Those Ministering on Behalf of the Church
• Comprehensive background checks on
  - All existing and new employees of the Diocese and entities associated with the Diocese
  - All existing and new volunteers who have regular contact with children
• "Protecting God's Children", an educational awardness program designed to:
  - Increase awareness of child sexual abuse
  - Understand a 5-step process to prevent child sex abuse from occurring in our schools and parishes
  - Allow you to commit to being a part of a community that will protect all of God's children

All employss of the Diocese, parishes or schools, as well as volunteers who have regular contact with children, are required to participate in and comply with all aspects of the Safe Environment Program.

Volunteers who have regular contact with children include:

• Individuals who have contact with children one or more times a month
• Individuals who are alone with groups of children
• Individuals who are involved in any activities that include overnight supervision of children or young people