A Welcoming Community of Faith Rooted in the Catholic Tradition.
Consecrated July 7, 1997
Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct
for all representatives of the
Evangelical Catholic Church
Revised July 7th, 2025
The 28th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Evangelical Catholic Church
“A Welcoming Community of Faith Rooted in the Catholic Tradition”
Disclaimer
In its desire to professionally structure and articulate the importance of the Evangelical Catholic Church’s non-negotiable commitment to a Code of Conduct, we reviewed and studied examples of Codes of Conduct from other religious jurisdiction for help and guidance in preparing such a code for the ECC.
Therefore, the ECC wishes to acknowledge that our constructed Code of Conduct was greatly influenced and inspired by codes of other religious jurisdictions and at times we mirrored their words. When we did so we meant no disrespect to the works of others.
The ECC is grateful for the ecumenical examples they set and established for us and others to follow in our pursuits to best serve and protect the People of God.
Thank You.
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Introduction
The code of conduct for the Evangelical Catholic Church outlines expected behaviors for church leaders, staff, and volunteers, promoting a safe and ethical environment. It establishes and gives witness to all encompassing Catholic standards for interpersonal relationships, confidentiality, financial integrity, and pastoral leadership. These codes also address issues like sexual misconduct, harassment, and mandatory reporting of abuse.
Key elements of our Code of Conduct will include:
● Professional Ethical Obligations
● Behavior Standards
● Unacceptable Behaviors
● Warning Signs
● Displays of Affection
● Code of Conduct Acknowledgement
Importance of a code of conduct:
Clarity and accountability: Provides clear expectations for behavior and promotes accountability among church members.
Protecting vulnerable individuals: Helps prevent abuse and misconduct by establishing clear boundaries and reporting procedures.
Building trust: Fosters trust and confidence within the church community.
Promoting ethical leadership: Encourages ethical decision-making and leadership practices.
Code of Conduct & Behavior Standards
for All Clergy, Religious, Employees and Lay Ministers
“FOR OUR BOAST IS THIS, THE TESTIMONY OF OUR CONSCIENCE THAT WE HAVE CONDUCTED OURSELVES IN THE WORLD, AND ESPECIALLY TOWARD YOU, WITH THE SIMPLICITY AND SINCERITY OF GOD, (AND) NOT BY HUMAN WISDOM BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD.” — PAUL, 2 COR. 1:12
The Code of Canon Law and the Pastoral Policies of the Evangelical Catholic Church demands that there are to be clear and well-publicized diocesan standards of ministerial behavior and appropriate boundaries for clergy, Religious and for any other personnel and volunteers of the Church in positions of trust who have regular contact with children and young people. This document is the further commitment of the ECC. All clergy, religious, and lay ministers shall indicate their agreement with and adherence to this Code of Conduct by signing and dating it.
Professional Ethical Obligations
Priests are accountable to our Presiding Bishop, or the person(s) designated; all other ministers are accountable to the pastor or other duly appointed representative under the authority of the Bishops.
Clergy, Religious AND Lay Ministers must be aware of and comply with all applicable parish/school, organizational and/or diocesan policies and guidelines with special attention to ministerial competency, sexual misconduct, safety, transportation, parental permission, social media, and medical emergency policies.
Additional Obligations Ministerial Role
• Work collaboratively with all those engaged in ministry.
• Faithfully represent the teachings of the Evangelical Catholic Church, with integrity in word and action.
Inclusion
• Recognize the dignity of each person and refrain from actions or words that are disrespectful of anyone.
• Serve all people in accordance with the Church’s teaching on Faith and Morals.
• Ensure that all persons have reasonable access to the resources, services, and opportunities they require with particular regard for persons with special needs or disabilities.
Accountability
• Serve the Faithful, carrying out their ministerial functions conscientiously, zealously, and diligently.
• Exercise responsible stewardship of resources while holding themselves to the highest standards of integrity regarding the fiscal matters placed in their trust.
• Be responsible for supporting each other toward being effective leaders. This support must include discussing concerns about inappropriate behavior with their supervisor.
Confidentiality
• Respect confidentiality.
• Adhere to civil and ecclesial law concerning the reporting of neglect or abuse or whenever physical harm could come to the person or to a third party.
• Support the rights and roles of parents, guardians and caretakers, as prescribed, while ministering to the needs and concerns of those receiving ministry.
Conduct
• Sustain respectful relationships with all those they serve, avoiding manipulation, sexual harassment and other abuses of the authority that comes with a ministerial position.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with colleagues. Romantic or sexual relationships between a minister and those he/she ministers to are inappropriate and unethical, regardless of who initiates the conduct.
• Model healthy and positive behaviors with all those encountered through ministry.
• Procuring, providing, or using alcohol for persons under 21 years of age and procuring, providing, or using controlled substances for anyone is illegal, inappropriate and unethical.
Referrals and Intervention
• Be aware of the signs of sexual abuse and physical neglect.
• Be aware of personal and professional limitations with respect to paraprofessional counseling and make appropriate referrals.
• Adhere to civil and ecclesial law, policies and procedures for reporting abuse, suspected abuse or neglect.
Behavior Standards
• Clergy, seminarians, deacon aspirants or candidates, paid personnel and volunteers are to act as role models of proper Catholic values and must not engage in unethical or immoral conduct (or that which gives the appearance of such).
• Any interpersonal conduct that is prohibited by civil law is likewise forbidden under diocesan policy. As a prime example, any verbal or nonverbal sexual behavior between a minister and a child or young person is inappropriate and forbidden. Further, illicit use of electronic media, whether via internet, email, chat rooms, social networks, phone conversations, text messaging, photos, videos or any other access, is prohibited.
• Any suspicion of sexual abuse must be reported as required by federal, state or local law and diocesan policy. Any knowledge or reasonable suspicion of any minister having an inappropriate relationship with a child or young person must be reported promptly to that person’s supervisor, who must then discuss this concern with the minister.
• Proper supervision must be present at all children’s and/or youth religious education programs, classes and activities, and must remain until all children/youth have left the premises. This requirement includes all Jovenes (Spanish youth) ministries that include adolescents. All planning meetings/interactions with a teen assistant/ helper must take place in public or in the presence of another adult or teen. Going out/Dating between a cleric, religious or lay minister and a child or young person is prohibited.
• When initiating physical contact, discretion must be used. Any display of affection should be made in a public setting in front of other group members and should respect the wishes of the other person.
• One-to-one counseling between a minister and those he/she ministers to should always occur in a public place where they can be observed by others—never alone in a car or a private place.
• If a minister experiences a recurring romantic or sexual attraction for someone they are ministering to, the minister is required to discuss the situation with their supervisor or spiritual director for guidance.
• Any sexual gestures or overtures made to a minister, from those he/she ministers to, should be reported to his/her supervisor who will then meet with those involved to discuss the incident.
• All observed Code of Conduct violations must be reported to the supervisor and documented.
Any Clergy, Religious or Lay Minister who cannot maintain
these Behavioral Standards cannot serve within the
Evangelical Catholic Church
Unacceptable Behaviors
♦ Engaging in actions which are disruptive to the ministry and public worship ♦ Speaking graphically about sexual activities (including your own) and/or allowing others to do so (this includes telling sexually suggestive jokes)
♦ Hosting parish or school events for children or youth in your home without at least one other adult present
♦ Showing pornographic materials (photos, films, cartoons, stories, and drawings) to others.
♦ Acquiring, possessing or distributing sexual and/or pornographic images of children or adults
♦ Allowing anyone to become sexual with you or with another
♦ Assaultive behavior with another, specifically including spanking, shaking, slapping, wrestling, tickling or physically punishing children or youth
♦ Giving, possessing or being under the influence of alcohol
♦ Giving, possessing or being under the influence of illegal drugs
♦ Giving persons tobacco products
♦ Shaming, degrading, ridiculing, threatening, belittling, or humiliating another person
♦ Using foul or abusive language
♦ Showing favoritism
♦ Going out/Dating a child or young person
♦ Having physical contact with another that can be misinterpreted
♦ Wearing provocative or revealing attire
♦ Being nude in front of others
♦ Being in bed with children or youth
♦ Keeping “secrets” about relationships
♦ Showing affection when no one else is around or in bedrooms, closets, restricted areas and other private rooms
♦ Staring while others are dressing
♦ Commenting on others’ bodies
♦ Taking pictures or video/digital recording while others are dressing or showering
♦ Failing to adhere to uniform or accepted standards of affection
Warning Signs
♦ Wearing special clothes when you know you’re going to see a certain person
♦ Spending extra time grooming yourself when you know you are going to see a certain person
♦ Finding ways or reasons to be alone with a certain person
♦ Keeping aspects of your relationship with a person secret from others (such as how often you talk on the phone or see each other alone)
♦ Giving and receiving special gifts from a certain person
♦ Neglecting ministry to others in order to spend more time with a certain person
♦ Sharing personal information about others with a certain person ♦ Sharing personal information or seeking help with personal problems from a certain person
♦ Discussing adult issues with children and/or youth
♦ Excessively looking forward to seeing a certain person
♦ Fantasizing or daydreaming about a certain person
♦ Spending disproportionate time or devoting more time with a certain person than with others
Displays of Affection
Appropriate
• Asking permission before touching
• Side hugs (with adults)
• Brief shoulder to shoulder hugs
• Pats on the shoulder or back
• Handshakes
• “High-fives” and hand slapping
• Verbal praise
• Touching hands, faces, shoulders and arms Inappropriate
• Arms around shoulders
• Holding hands during prayer or when a person is upset
• Holding hands while walking with small children
• Sitting close to small children
• Kneeling or bending down for hugs with a small child
Inappropriate
• Any form of unwanted affection
• Full frontal hugs or “bear hugs”
• Touching bottoms, chests or genital areas
• Massages
• Patting others on the thigh, knee or leg
• Tickling or wrestling
• Touching or hugging from behind
• Games involving inappropriate touching
• Kisses on the mouth
• Special gift giving to/from a certain person
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Now that the Evangelical Catholic Church has promulgated its code of conduct, which includes both general expectations for all Evangelical Catholics and specific guidelines for clergy and church personnel. These guidelines emphasize living a Christian life, participating in sacraments, upholding moral law, and respecting the teachings of the Church. Clergy have additional responsibilities related to ministry, spirituality, preaching, and maintaining appropriate boundaries.
It is our hope and prayer that this Code of Conduct for Clergy and Church Personnel shall support these ongoing personal and professional renewals.
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Code of Conduct Acknowledgement
All Clergy, Religious and Lay Ministers are required to fill out the Code of Conduct Agreement Form and sign it. Please go to the form by clicking on the button below. By signing this form you acknowledge and fully understand the Code of Conduct & Behavior Standards for All Clergy, Religious and Lay Ministers within the Evangelical Catholic Church.
