Mandatory Requirements to Fulfill before Volunteering and/or Working with Minors in the Parish

Out of concern for the safety and well-being of children, every diocesan, parish, school or religious education employee or volunteer who is involved with minors on a regular, recurring basis and those who may have an opportunity to be alone with children during parish, school or religious education sponsored events, are required to attend a Virtus Protecting God’s Children Program.

In addition, every diocesan, parish, school or religious education employee or volunteer who is involved with minors on a regular, recurring basis and those who may have an opportunity to be alone with children during parish, school or religious education sponsored events, are required to complete and submit permission to run a name-based Background Check, as well as read the Diocese of Joliet Pastoral Policy Regarding Sexual Abuse of Minors (Revised 2021) and the Diocese of Joliet Standards of Behavior for Those Working with Minors (Revised 2021) and complete a signed Acknowledgement Form.

To fulfill the mandatory requirements before volunteering/and or working with minors in the parish go to http://www.virtusonline.org and create an account or log in to your existing account to get up to date.

Additional forms are required for those who serve in the following roles:

  • Volunteer: Coach
  • Volunteer: School Board Member
  • Volunteer: Religious Education or Youth Ministry
  • Volunteer: Scout Leader

The additional requirements to be completed by volunteers serving in these roles include attending an online Mandatory Reporter Training, submitting the MRT Certificate of Completion after completing the training, submitting a CANTS-22 Mandated Reporter Acknowledgment Form and submitting an Adult Application.

For step-by-step instructions to complete the necessary requirements for a particular volunteer role, please download one of the following:

Instructions for the role of Volunteer: CoachDownload
Instructions for the role of Volunteer: Parochial SchoolDownload
Instructions for the role of Volunteer: Religious EducationDownload
Instructions for the role of Volunteer: School Board MemberDownload

Reporting Sexual Abuse

Anyone with reason to believe that a child has been abused or is being abused should report their suspicions to civil authorities. Contact: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services:

1-800-25ABUSE (1-800-252-2873) or local police. The Diocese of Joliet Victim Assistance Coordinator is available to help victims/survivors of child sexual abuse by a cleric, employee or volunteer of the Catholic Church. The Victim Assistance Coordinator will report to Bishop Conlon and coordinate efforts of pastoral support and outreach to assist in the healing process. The Victim Assistance Coordinator can also assist in making a report to civil authorities.  Contact the Diocese of Joliet Victim Assistance Coordinator at 1-815-263-6467.

For More Information

  • For more information on the Protecting God’s Children program in the Joliet Diocese, please click here.
  • To access the Adult Application Form, Minor Application Form or CANTS-22 Form, as well as other resources, please click here.
  • For practical advice as to how parents can prevent child sexual abuse, please click here.
  • To contact the St. James Safe Environment Coordinator, email: lisa@stjamesge.org.