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Diocese of Pittsburgh News
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August 30
Jack Shea was a man with a caring and charitable heart. We often heard his strong voice in support of local workers, and of many charitable organizations.Read More -
August 22
Bishop David Zubik is out of spinal surgery. According to his surgeon, everything went as planned. There were no complications.Read More -
August 21
Bishop David Zubik is scheduled for a spinal surgery Monday, August 22 at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Uptown. The surgery is expected to last several hours and is intended to address continuing problems with collapsing discsRead More -
August 8
After compiling input from more than 3,600 people, who, for the past months have gathered in parishes, schools, healthcare institutions, religious houses, private living rooms, and more, the Diocese of Pittsburgh has released results of the local phase of the two-year worldwide Synod on Synodality.Read More -
July 15
Bishop David Zubik has appointed leaders for two Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, re-titling two current administrators at St. Joseph High School in Natrona Heights as principal and president, while promoting a staff member at Oakland Catholic High School to the position of principal.Read More -
June 24
Those of us who have worked and prayed to protect unborn children are profoundly grateful that the Supreme Court of the United States has determined that there is not a constitutional right for abortion. In response, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh will continue to support and encourage legislation that protects unborn children.Read More -
June 24
Bishop David Zubik will celebrate the priestly ordination of Deacon David Schmidt at St. Paul Cathedral, Fifth Avenue at North Craig St, Oakland, on June 25 at 10 am.Read More -
June 16
Catholics will walk, sing and pray in a mile-long Eucharistic procession from St. Paul Cathedral through the heart of Oakland on Sunday, June 19, 2022, as part of the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s opening Mass for a three-year National Eucharistic Revival.Read More -
June 3
Welcoming everyone to Catholic parishes – whether they are first-time visitors, longtime members or have been away – is the topic of Bishop David A. Zubik’s new pastoral letter, The Church Welcoming!Read More -
June 3
Auxiliary Bishop Mark A. Eckman will ordain three seminarians as transitional deacons in the presence of Bishop David Zubik Saturday, June 4 at 10 a.m., Saint Therese Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle ParisRead More
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Guidelines for parishes and schools
While some partisan organizations on both the left and the right use “Catholic” in their name, they are not affiliated with or supported by the Catholic Church. Only non-partisan voter guides that have been approved by the Diocese of Pittsburgh may be distributed on parish property – including the parking lot – or at church-sponsored events.
To help you through this election cycle, the Diocese of Pittsburgh has again published its political action guidelines brochure for parishes and schools below. Please study it carefully and contact Anna Torrance, Secretary for Catholic Education and Evangelization, if you have questions: [email protected].
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Report AbuseThe Reporting Process
- Everyone is a permissive reporter and is encouraged to make a report of suspected child abuse. Reporters of suspected child abuse fall into two categories.
- Mandated reporters are those adults who come into direct contact with children in the course of their employment or volunteer of a regularly scheduled program or activity, who accepts responsibility for a child.
- The trigger to report is a reasonable suspicion that a child is being abused. Permissive reporters may report anonymously; mandated reporters may not.
Making a Report of Child Abuse- Reports of suspected child abuse are to be made immediately.
- If the child is in imminent danger, call 911
- Reports may be made orally by phone or electronically
- Oral reports are made to ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313 which is available 24/7
- Electronic reports are made via CWIS Self-Service portal at www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis
- Inform the supervisor or person in charge of your program that a report was made
To report church-related abuse to the Diocese of Pittsburgh call:
1-888-808-1235
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Parish Employees
All parish employees must complete the following steps.
- Virtus ®Online Safe Environment database: (Unsure whether you have an existing account? Call the Office for Compliance at 412-456-3093. If your record exists, we will provide you with login information)
a. New users only, click here
b. Existing accounts, click here -
Child Abuse History Clearance
a. Complete Paper Application and Release Form
OR
b. Complete online Application -
FBI Clearance
Parish Employee - Use code 1KG756
Preschool/Child Care Services Employee - Use code 1KG738 -
Protecting God’s Children: On-line Class, Live Class, or Trauma Sensitive Alternative*
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Mandated Reporter Training
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Are you listed on Appendix D? If Yes, see the next step.
If No, you are not required to complete the next step. -
On-line Class or Live Class
* For persons with a history of sexual abuse, watching the videos may cause a resurgence of memories and strong emotions that some find detrimental to their personal healing. With that in mind, you can request a written trauma sensitive version by calling or emailing: Laetitia Bridges, Director of Victim Assistance at 412-456-3093 ext. 3712 or [email protected]. (When requesting this training, you will not be asked about your personal history.)
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- Virtus ®Online Safe Environment database: (Unsure whether you have an existing account? Call the Office for Compliance at 412-456-3093. If your record exists, we will provide you with login information)
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