ARCHDIOCESAN FINGERPRINTING POLICY
Introduction
Effective November 1, 2007, the Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese will implement an Archdiocesan-wideFFingerprinting policy which requires not only the fingerprinting of all clergy but also those employees and volunteers who have contact, either directly or indirectly, with children and the funds of the Church. While the Archdiocese currently requires the fingerprinting of all candidates for the seminary, ordination to Holy Orders, and clergy from other Orthodox Churches seeking admission into the canonical jurisdiction of the Archdiocese, the extension of the fingerprinting policy to specific groups of employees and volunteers is an enhancement to the existing policy. In addition, while fingerprinting has always been a part of one or more Archdiocesan norms, there has never been a stand-alone fingerprinting policy.
The Archdioceses’ new fingerprinting policy is intended to give clear and exact standards and information regarding the use of fingerprinting by the Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas and Canada.
Policy
- All candidates for the seminary, candidates for ordination to the Subdianconate, Diaconate, and Holy Priesthood as well as clergy from other Orthodox jurisdictions seeking admission into the Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas and Canada must be fingerprinted.
- All clergy (bishop, priests, deacons, and others), employees, or volunteers who have significant contact with children must be fingerprinted. This includes employees and volunteers in every parish, mission, community, school, or religious education program in which there are any number of children present or in attendance.
- All clergy, employees, or volunteers who have regular contact with the funds of the Church must be fingerprinted. This includes pastors, administrators, treasurers, etc. regardless of the amount of money for which they have responsibility.
- Effective November 1, 2007, no clergy, employees, or volunteers may have contact with children until a negative report for the individual has been successfully received. There are to be no exceptions to this policy. This means that new clergy, staff members, and volunteers may not begin their service until the process is complete.
- In addition to fingerprinting, a complete FBI investigation must be done on all candidates for the seminary, candidates for ordination to the Subdiaconate, Diaconate, and Holy Priesthood, and all clergy who seek admission into the Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas and Canada. This investigation will be initiated and overseen by the appropriate Church Authority (i.e., the Presbyteral Council; the Diaconal Council; the Seminary Admissions, Formation Review, and Evaluation Commission (SAFREC), etc.).
- An FBI investigation must also be done on all employees and volunteers who have significant contact with children and regular contact with the funds of the Church. This investigation will be initiated and overseen by the appropriate Church Authority (i.e., the Archdiocesan Board of Trustees; the Metropolitan CDopuncil, the Archdiocesan Finance Council, etc.).
- There will be no grandfathering of any clergy, employees, or volunteers.
- If a person currently serves, works, or volunteers at more than one location, only one fingerprinting needs to be done. At the time fingerprints are taken, the individual should identify all the locations in which he/she serves, works, or volunteers.
- Background checks cannot be transferred from one location to another. New service requires that a new set of fingerprints be taken and a new background check be done.
- Minors under the age of 18 may not be fingerprinted for the criminal background check. Minors may attend the orientation session for the Decree on Child Protection. However, minors may not sign the B-4 forms.
- If clergy, employees, or volunteers change the location of service, they must be re-fingerprinted.
- If there is a one-year break in service, the clergyman, employee or volunteer must be fingerprinted, even if the service is at the same location.
Procedures
- Fingerprinting is done by Webcheck. This is an electronic procedure done via a computer. It takes less time, is more accurate, and the results are usually back within 48 hours for the BCI and within two weeks for the FBI.
- Clergy/employees/volunteers must have a government-issued identification with a picture (i.e., Driver’s License). A Social Security number is required for all fingerprinting checks. Without the picture ID and the Social Security number, the fingerprint check will not be administered. Therefore, the individual may not be admitted to the seminary, ordained, or assigned to a parish; be employed or volunteer.
- All fingerprinting must be done through the Archdiocese at one of its approved sites.
- The locations and times of fingerprinting will be posted on the Archdiocese website from time to time.
Cost
The BCI background check is normally $25 and is undertaken by local law enforcement agencies selected by the Archdiocese. In most other states in which the Archdiocese has a presence, BCI checks will be conducted by State Police agencies unless otherwise noted.
The cost of the FBI check is $50.00. In the case of assigned clergy, the local parish, mission o,r community is responsible for the payment of these fees.
In the case of candidates for ordination to Holy Orders, the fingerprinting fees are paid by the Archdiocese. In the case of applicants for the seminary and clergy seeking admission into the canonical jurisdiction of the Archdiocese, the fees for fingerprinting must be paid by the applicant. In the case of applicants for employment or volunteer service, the fees must be paid by the applicant. If the background check is negative (no cases of crime or convictions), in the case of applicants for the seminary and clergy seeking admission into the canonical jurisdiction of the Archdiocese, the Archdiocese will reimburse the fees paid. In the case of employees or volunteers who successfully complete a background check, the fees will be reimbursed by the Archdiocese on a one-time basis.
Reports
All reports are sent directly from the appropriate state or local law enforcement agency to the Archdiocesan Office of Investigations, Compliance, and Ethical Standards which, in turn, shall submit the results to the Office of the Metropolitan. Parishes, missions, communities, and other Archdiocesan entities will be informed if the applicant has been accepted or can be employed or volunteer. This is to protect the pastoral relationship. The applicant, employee, or volunteer will be asked to contact the Office of the Metropolitan for an explanation or further information.
B-4 Forms
The B-4 Form should be completed for every applicant, new employee, or volunteer at the time application is made. It is not necessary to complete a new B-4 Form for current employees.