The Diocese has established a Safe Environment Program. All diocesan offices, parishes, schools, and other organizations must participate in this program by:

  • ensuring that all personnel agree to and execute the Cold of Conduct;
  • participating in the Diocese-wide education program designed to educate parents, children, and all personnel who have regular contact with children and young adults

Code of Conduct

Adults who work with children or young adults through the Diocese of Buffalo or any of its parishes or schools have the legal, moral, and religious responsibility to perform their duties in a way that educates and assists – and does not harm the children and young adults with whom they work. In keeping with that obligation, the Diocese of Buffalo establishes the following Code of Conduct for all who minister to children and young adults in the parishes of the Diocese, teach children and young adults in the schools of the Diocese, coach children and young adults on sports teams connected with the Diocese or any of its parishes or schools, or in any other way work with children and young adults through the Diocese of Buffalo. As one of the priests and religious, teachers and coaches, employees and /or volunteers, who work with children and young adults in or through the Diocese of Buffalo, I solemnly pledge that:
1) I will to the best of my ability, perform my work in a manner consistent with the mission of the Catholic Church and the Diocese of Buffalo;
2) I will always remember that I am not a peer of the children or young adults with whom I work and I will perform my duties accordingly;
3) I will maintain appropriate physical and emotional boundaries from the children and young adults with whom I work;
4) I will avoid situations where I am alone with a child and/or young adult at Church activities;
5) I will refrain from any and all physical conduct, conversations and other communications with children or young adults that have a sexual purpose or result;
6) I will not touch a child and/or young adult in a sexual or other inappropriate manner;
7) I will report suspected abuse to the pastor, administrator, or appropriate supervisor and I will report to the appropriate office of the District Attorney any allegation of sexual abuse of a person who is a minor;
8) I will cooperate fully in any investigation of abuse of children and/or young adults;
9) I will treat everyone with respect, loyalty, patience, integrity, courtesy, dignity, and consideration;
10) I will use positive reinforcement rather than criticism, competition, or comparison when working with children and/or young adults;
11) I will neither accept expensive gifts from children and/or young adults nor give expensive gifts to them without prior written approval from the parents or guardians and from the pastor or administrator;
12) I will not smoke or use tobacco products in the presence of children and/or young adults;
13) I will not use, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol while working with children and/or young adults;
14) I will not use, possess, or be under the influence of illegal drugs at any time;
15) I will not pose any health risk to children and/or young adults (i.e., no fevers or other contagious situations);
16) I will not strike, spank, shake, or slap children and/or young adults;
17) I will not humiliate, ridicule, threaten, or degrade children and/or young adults;
18) I will not use any discipline that frightens or humiliates children and/or young adults;
19) I will not use profanity in the presence of children and/or young adults.