Child protection tightened

Lay people wanting to enter stipendiary ministry in Sydney Diocese will be required to answer a comprehensive series of questions about their lifestyle under new rules aimed at tightening child protection standards in churches.

The Diocesan Registrar Philip Selden emailed clergy last month to advise them of the process, which broadens the Code of Practice for Church Workers to include people seeking to be licensed as paid lay workers.

The survey of 40 questions includes the candidate’s history of working with children, past criminal behaviour, and financial, sexual and personal conduct.

Questions include health problems that could affect their work with children, disciplinary action in the workplace and in voluntary situations, serious traffic offences, sexual relations outside of marriage and the candidate’s attitude to alcohol, gambling and pornography. The questionnaire will remain confidential.

Candidates will be required to discuss their responses with their bishop or archdeacon or a member of the Diocesan Women’s Ministry team. “We believe that is a right and valid approach in seeking to ensure that we as a diocese try to maintain the highest possible standards in those who minister and lead congregations,” Dr Selden wrote.

“It will provide a measure of uniformity and credibility across the Diocese and again will be an indication of the importance being placed on godly character.”

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