Code of Pastoral Conduct
Diocese of
"Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God" Mt. 5:8
In the United States, the Catholic Church's Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People calls for clear and well-publicized diocesan standards of ministerial behavior and appropriate boundaries for clergy and for all other church personnel in positions of trust who have regular contact with children and young people.(Article 6) This code is a response to that call to integrity both in our relationships with children and young people as well as with the adult faith community.
Bishops, priests, deacons, pastoral ministers, administrators, staff, and volunteers in our parishes, schools, agencies, religious communities/institutes and organizations must uphold Catholic values and conduct that are rooted in the Gospel. We must be aware of the responsibilities that accompany our work while knowing that God's goodness and grace support us in our ministry. We should and will be held accountable for our behavior. In order to maintain the highest level of accountability each of us is required to abide by this code which provides a set of standards outlining that which is appropriate and inappropriate behavior in pastoral situations.
Responsibility for adherence to the Code of Pastoral Conduct rests with the individual. Those who disregard this code will be subject to disciplinary action by the Diocese of Paterson in accord with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the Essential Norms for Diocesan Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors, the Diocesan Guidelines for Responses to Allegations of Morally Inappropriate Conduct by Church Employees and the Diocese of Paterson Employee Handbook.
Download the Code of Conduct in Spanish here
Revised Code of Conduct posted May 17, 2005
