Safe Environment

ALL ARCHDIOCESAN/PARISH/SCHOOL EMPLOYEES & VOLUNTEERS who have contact with minors or vulnerable adults must complete the Safe Environment protocol BEFORE being employed or accepted as a volunteer.

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley approved the implementation of the safe environment program Safe and Sacred effective July 1, 2020 in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.  Safe and Sacred provides training for adult volunteers, clergy, staff and employees who work and volunteer with children and vulnerable adults. 

The Safe and Sacred program will require training each year.  All current and new employees and volunteers must complete the new Safe Environment training.

To request access to the Safe and Sacred training contact Kim Young at the parish office (405) 528-0485 or by email at [email protected].

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. 

Teen Volunteer Program

We are blessed to have responsible teen volunteers working with children in our Archdiocese.  Safe and Sacred is designed to train teens (age 14-17) in the safe environment protocol at an age appropriate level. Please contact the parish safe environment facilitator for more information and to complete the teen volunteer training. 

Children’s Curriculum

The children’s learning program is an age-appropriate curriculum that addresses challenges children and youth face in the 21st century. Children in pre-k through 12th grade are taught along with their peers in a typical classroom setting by a trained catechist. Examples of lessons presented on an age-appropriate level include personal safety, technology safety and bullying.

Parent Engagement

Effective learning necessitates a partnership between parents and the catechist. All parents are given the opportunity to preview the materials prior to the child’s participation in the program. Students further benefit from take-home materials intended to assist with creating a framework for family-wide discussions. 

The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City in accordance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops requires all children, in Catholic Schools and religious education programs, receive the opportunity for Safe Environment Training.

Parent Resources

USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children & Young People

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.