Code of Behaviour for Our Life and Ministry

  • Treat all to whom we minister with respect and courtesy.
  • Respect the boundary of physical and emotional space that others require, using touch in a prudent and responsible way.
  • Provide pastoral ministry in a sufficiently safe environment, ordinarily one that is open and visible.
  • Ensure whenever reasonably possible that another adult is present or close by when providing pastoral ministry to a child or vulnerable adult.
  • In the event of pastoral outings, behave with due prudence that has the other as its central concern. Avoid staying in the same room or travelling alone with a minor or vulnerable adult.
  • Avoid all inappropriate communication with children and vulnerable adults through the internet, e-mail, text messages or otherwise.
  • Ensure that permission of parents/guardians is given when taking photographs and making videos or other recordings of children in the course of ministry to children.
  • Avoid the use of the pastoral role to foster relationships of dependence and subservience, over familiarity with one child or vulnerable adult to the exclusion of others.
  • Avoid any form of familiarity or inappropriate language that could reasonably be interpreted as harassment.
  • Never serve any alcohol/ drug/substance to a minor without the express permission of the parent/guardian; never serve anything illegal.
  • Never act in a way that is intended to shame, humiliate, belittle or degrade.