July 18, 2022

Springfield Diocese relaunches VIRTUS safe environment training

REGIONAL
Staff report

This is the cover of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.” The charter was first approved by the U.S. bishops in June 2002 during their spring assembly in Dallas. It was revised in 2005, 2011 and 2018. (CNS photo/courtesy USCCB)

SPRINGFIELD – The Diocese of Springfield is relaunching the VIRTUS safe environment program this summer in its continuing effort to ensure children are protected in every church environment. The relaunch also follows the recommendation of the Independent Task Force on the Response to Sexual Abuse within the Diocese of Springfield which issued its final report last fall. The “Protecting God’s Children Program for Adults” teaches clergy, diocesan employees and volunteers about the prevention and detection of abuse.

“Maximizing the church’s role as a child-safe environment remains a top priority for the Diocese of Springfield,” said Jeffrey Trant, director of the Office of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance (OSEVA).

“The VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children Program educates and trains adults, clergy, religious, teachers, staff and parents, about the dangers of abuse, the ways to prevent abuse, the methods of properly reporting suspicions of abuse, and responding to allegations of abuse,” Trant said.

All employees, educators and volunteers who were trained prior to July 1, 2021 must be recertified by Oct. 31, 2022. For new clergy, volunteers and others who are required to be trained but have not previously completed safe environment training, those sessions will be held in person.

The new training requires one three-hour session, which will be held at the Bishop Joseph Maguire Pastoral Center, 65 Elliot St., Springfield, on the following days: (A ZOOM option is available for those unable to attend in person.)

• 9 a.m. – First and third Monday of each month 
• 1 p.m. – Second and fourth Monday of each month
• 6 p.m. – Second Thursday of each month

In addition to the weekly training sessions available at the pastoral center, additional training sessions will be offered in person throughout the diocese by VIRTUS facilitators. To find the complete listing, participants must register at www.virtusonline.org.   

The recertification training consists of an online module “A Plan to Protect God’s Children, 4.0,” and takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

An email will be sent from VIRTUS prompting individuals who must recertify to complete the required training.

For questions or more information, contact the Office of Safe Environment at (413)452-0662.