In accordance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, ARTICLE 13, Diocese/eparchies are to evaluate the background of all personnel and volunteers whose duties include contact with minors and vulnerable adults. Specifically, they are to utilize the resources of law enforcement and other community agencies. Each diocesan/eparchial bishop is to evaluate the background of all incardinated priests and deacons. When a priest or deacon, not incardinated in the diocese/eparchy, is to engage in ministry in the diocese/eparchy, regardless of the length of time, the evaluation of his background may be satisfied through a written attestation of suitability for ministry supplied by his proper ordinary/major superior to the diocese/eparchy. Dioceses/eparchies are to evaluate the background of all their respective diocesan/eparchial and parish/school or other paid diocese/eparchy is to determine the application/renewal of background checks according to local practice. In addition, they are to employ adequate screening and evaluative techniques in deciding the suitability of candidates for ordination (see USCCB, Program of Priestly Formation [Fifth Edition], 2006, no. 39 and the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States, n. 178 j).

All adult lay and religious employees and volunteers must be screened on or before the first day of employment or volunteer service.  Individuals must be background screened annually using the diocesan approved national search. Additionally, some positions shall be screened through the Central Registry of Child Protective Services of the Virginia Department of Social Services and fingerprints transmitted by FieldPrint will be screened by the FBI and the Virginia State Police Criminal Records Exchange search every five years.

All clergy coming for service to the Diocese of Richmond must allow 45 days to complete safe environment requirements. Clergy may not minister in the diocese without completing safe environment requirements and without the permission of the Bishop or the Vicar for Clergy.

Applicants for the Seminary or for the Permanent Diaconate as part of the admission process, shall transmit fingerprints by FieldPrint and be screened by the FBI and the Virginia State Police Criminal Records Exchange. Additionally, they shall be screened through the Central Registry of Child Protective Services of the Virginia Department of Social Services search every five years.

All Seminarians and Clergy, to Include Bishops and All Religious Order Priests assigned to the Diocese, in addition to the testimony of their major superiors shall be fingerprinted at point of service. Fingerprints transmitted by FieldPrint will be screened by the FBI and the Virginia State Police Criminal Records Exchange. Additionally, they shall be screened through the Central Registry of Child Protective Services of the Virginia Department of Social Services search every five years.  They will also be screened every year using the diocesan approved national search.

Clergy From Other Dioceses/Eparchies coming for service in the diocese from other dioceses/eparchies must provide 45 days notice and in addition to providing the diocese with a letter (Celebret) from their Bishop/Superior indicating that they are a priest/deacon in good standing and that they have been cleared through the screening process used in their home diocese/eparchy, shall be screened using the diocesan approved national search. They shall be rescreened every year.

Clergy Visiting the Diocese on a Temporary Status from Other Dioceses/Eparchies must provide the diocese with a letter (Celebret) from their diocese/eparchy indicating that they are a priest/deacon in good standing and that they have been cleared through the screening process used in their home diocese/eparchy. This letter is good for 30 consecutive calendar days per visit. After 30 calendar days, they must complete the diocesan safe environment requirements.

Military Priests/Deacons, Chaplains from the Military Archdiocese will submit a letter (Celebret) from their home diocese indicating that they are in good standing and that they have been cleared through the military.  This document is good for their tour of duty in Virginia. This letter would be renewable every time the clergy is reassigned duty in Virginia.

Clergy from a Diocese Outside the Country coming for service in the diocese must provide 45 days notice and in addition to the testimony of their bishops or superiors, shall complete, as a part of the admission process, an international screening search using the diocesan approved national search. They will be screened every year. Additionally, they will be screened through the Central Registry of Child Protective Services of the Virginia Department of Social Services every five years.

All seminarians, clergy, lay employees and volunteers are required to disclose any arrests, charges, allegations of criminal conduct, or criminal convictions prior to the start of employment/volunteer service AND any that occur during employment/volunteer service. Failure to notify the supervisor of any arrests, charges, allegations of criminal conduct, or criminal convictions, or pending court proceedings arising from the same, may lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination/end of volunteer service.

All supervisors, including pastors/principals/directors, are required to inform the Office of Safe Environment in writing if their employee/volunteer has had any arrests, charges, allegations of criminal conduct, or criminal convictions between background screening searches.

An offense on a background check means that more information is needed about the underlying conduct giving rise to the offense, but it does not automatically disqualify the applicant from an employment or volunteer position. The Diocese of Richmond follows Va. Code § 19.2-392.02, setting forth barrier crimes preventing employment or volunteerism in certain instances. The Diocese of Richmond, however, reserves the right to disqualify an applicant from employment or volunteer position regardless of whether the offense on the background check is a barrier crime listed in Va. Code § 19.2-392.02.

If a background screening search identifies an offense, the individual must refrain from working or serving in any diocesan location until further notice from their supervisor.