Office of the Bishop

Diocese of Antigonish

 168 Hawthorne Street, P.O. Box 1330

Antigonish, NS    B2G 2L7

Chancery 902-863-3335 / Fax 902-863-0037

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Diocese of Antigonish has a responsibility to provide a safe and caring environment of respect and dignity for its faith community.  It is our commitment to ensure that behaviour which puts individuals or families at risk will not be tolerated.  The diocese recognizes a duty of care to all in the faith community to minimize risk and to provide a safe environment in an open, transparent and accountable manner.

The Protocol for Responsible Ministry provides guidelines and direction for the screening and supervision of volunteers and staff.  It is the policy of the diocese that the protocol be carried out in all parishes in order to ensure support and safety for all the faithful.

Within the diocese, each parish will be required to appoint a person to coordinate the implementation and management of the protocol within the parish.  A diocesan coordinator will be appointed to oversee the implementation and management throughout the diocese and to liaise with the parish coordinators.

This Protocol of Responsible Ministry is an overall risk management program for the faith community.  With the cooperation of each parish to implement the protocol and to oversee its management, the diocese as a whole will strive to promote accountability, trust and care in our ministries.

This manual is a work in progress and will have additions and be subject to change.

Sincerely in Christ,

Brian Joseph Dunn

Bishop of Antigonish

Margaree Family of Catholic Churches:

Coordinator for Responsible Ministries is Cecile Miller at (902) 248 – 2305.

Email: ResponsibleMinistry@mfocc.ca

You may download the complete document in PDF format in both English and French at the following links:

1.  Reponsible Ministries Protocol

2. Un Protocole Pour un Ministere Responsable