St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

Safe Environment Training is required for all those who wish to work with the youth or the infirm of our parish. Please contact Kim Young at (405) 509-0083 or the parish office (405) 528-0485 for more information.

Training dates for 2016:

April 9 at 9 a.m., April 12 7 p.m., June 11 at 9 a.m., July 16 at 9 a.m.

All trainings will be held on the third floor of the Meerschaert House.In November 2002, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (the “Charter”) to assure a safer environment for children and young people and to express the responsibility of all to care for and reach out to the victims of sexual abuse and their families. In 2011, the Charter was revised to emphasis the deep commitment of the Bishops to creating a safe environment and preventing the sexual abuse of minors. Within the framework of the Charter, the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Program was developed.

We, the Catholic faithful of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, share responsibility for the life and mission of the Church. Each of us is called to celebrate, promote and when necessary to defend the life and dignity of every person. This responsibility requires that together and individually we treat everyone with respect, do what we can to see that harm is never brought to others, especially minors and vulnerable adults, and seek to bring healing for those who have been harmed.

Ensuring a safe environment for children and young people is a continuous effort. Part of that effort is educating and empowering children and young people to actively participate in a safe environment for themselves and others through the Circle of Grace program. The Archdiocese pledges to continue its efforts and work toward identifying areas where we can be more effective.

Under Oklahoma State law, all individuals MUST report an incident or suspicion of sexual abuse of a minor (person under 18 years of age) to the civil authorities. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services has established a statewide abuse reporting hotline for reporting: 1-800-522-3511. This number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you feel a child is in immediate danger of harm call 911.

For the safety of children and the healing of victims, the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City provides an Abuse of Minors Pastoral Response Hotline for reporting the abuse of a minor (in the past or presently) by a member of the clergy or other church personnel: (405)-720-9878. The Archdiocesan Victims Assistance Coordinator, a license professional counselor, will respond to calls to the Archdiocesan Pastoral Response Hotline.

A report to the Archdiocese does not relieve the individual of the duty to report child abuse to civil authorities as required by Oklahoma State Law. In Oklahoma, failure to report child abuse is a misdemeanor punishable by law. Safe Environment Form