Safe Environment

The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Parish requires that all employees and volunteers complete the Safe Environment Training Program regardless of their level of contact with children. The program teaches adults how to create and maintain a safe environment in which all persons, especially children, can grow in faith. This training is meant to help protect children and also those adults who minister to them.  

The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Parish partners with Catholic Mutual Group to offer an online safe environment training curriculum for all adults who are required to complete it.  

Examples of volunteer roles include but are not limited to: 

• Religious education catechists, aides and substitutes
• Sports team coaches, trainers and assistants
• Youth Choir directors/leaders
• Vacation Bible School (VBS) teachers
• Instructors for sacramental preparation and RCIC instructors
• Youth group leaders, aides, and chaperones
• Overnight chaperones, regular drivers
• Altar server trainers
• Adults volunteering for children’s events
• Nursery workers
• Boy Scout and Girl Scout troop leaders and helpers
• Junior Achievement instructors
• School tutors and assistants
• Those who assist in Catholic schools in a variety of ways and as such the service adds up to ongoing contact: field trip drivers & chaperones, classroom project helpers, classroom party helpers, library volunteers, etc.

It remains important for our Church to protect children and young people from the evils of abuse. The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend remains committed to upholding and following its guidelines, policies and procedures that were implemented for the Protection of Children and Young People. These can be reviewed on the Diocesan website. 

If you have reason to believe that a minor may be a victim of abuse or neglect, Indiana law requires that you report this to civil authorities. If you or someone you know was abused as a child or young person by an adult, you are encouraged to notify appropriate civil authorities of that abuse. In addition, if the alleged abuser is or was a priest or deacon of the Catholic Church, you are encouraged to contact the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend's Victim Assistance Office:

Mary Glowaski
Victim Assistance Coordinator
260-399-1458
[email protected]

Rev. Mark Gurtner
Vicar General of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
260-399-1419
[email protected]

The Diocese is committed to helping prevent the abuse or neglect of children and young people and to assist those who have suffered harm as a result of such abuse.