Welcome to the Office of Safe Environment. Safe Environment Certification is necessary for every adult (age 18 or over) clergy, visting clergy, employee, independent contractor, and volunteer in the Diocese of Crookston who has the potential for unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults. Certification includes: • A criminal background check • Training related to recognizing and reporting child abuse • Agreement to abide by the Safe Environment Policy and Code of Conduct + Most Reverend Michael J. Hoeppner,    Bishop of Crookston If you are a Safe Environment Coordinator at your parish or school, please click on the link below for resources and reporting forms: Parish and School Safe Environment Coordinator Reporting Forms and Resources Parents, if you would like information about the training programs used in the Diocese of Crookston please click the link below: Safe Environment Training & Resources for Children & Youth The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Safe Environment website: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/safe-environment.cfm “The sexual abuse of young people is by every standard wrong and rightly considered a crime by society; it is also an appalling sin in the eyes of God” (Pope John Paul II, Address to the Cardinals of the United States and Conference Officers, April 23, 20032).  The bishops of the United States, in November of 2002, adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.  In it, the bishops declared clearly and unequivocally that the protection of children and young people is of highest priority for the Church.  Here in the Diocese of Crookston, our newly revised Safe Environment Policy for the Protection of Children and Young People and Code of Conduct For Church Leaders of the Diocese of Crookston gives direction to our continuing efforts and work and makes clear and unequivocal our enduring commitment to the safety of our children, the vulnerable, and all our young people.        All people must be safe from sexual abuse when they are at home, away from home, in school, in church – everywhere.  May our faithful adherence to our Policy and Code help both young and old be secure in the knowledge that they are loved and cherished by our God and by the Church.  Knowing this, may we live together in faith, trust, love and joy.  And may what we do as the Church truly help rid our society of the scourge of sexual abuse.   We strongly encourage you to certify online using the link, above, in the orange box. Online certification saves time and resources and speeds your certification. If for some reason you cannot certify online, you will need to download, print, complete and mail the following form: Annual Acknowledgement and Consent Form & Test You will need to review the Component C Training Module before taking the test. You can find instructions on how to use this Training Module HERE. Ten Points for Protecting Children (USCCB Safe Environment) This is an excellent guide to the importance of Safe Environment and protecting our youth. This Online Acknowledgement and Consent and Test is Secure. If you are a clergy, visiting clergy, employee, independent contractor or volunteer wishing to serve in the Diocese of Crookston: