Sexual Conduct – Code of Conduct for Church Personnel

Church personnel are called to uphold the moral virtue of chastity.

4.1	Church personnel must avoid developing intimate relationships that are inappropriate and/or not in keeping with their state in life or vocation.

4.2	Church personnel must not exploit the trust placed in them by the faith community for sexual gain or intimacy.

4.3	Church personnel, because they are in positions of power or authority, must be particularly careful to avoid sexual misconduct, including the possession or distribution of pornography in the workplace. Church personnel should avoid even the appearance of sexual misconduct.

4.4	Church personnel should report to a supervisor or the Director of Human Resource Services any violation of this section of the Code that may seriously and publicly violate the official teaching of the Catholic Church.

2 “Chastity means the integration of sexuality within the person.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC] 2395) The Church does not equate, in the way some secular definitions do, celibacy with chastity. Rather, “all the baptized are called to chastity.” (CCC 2348) Each is to live a lifestyle appropriate to his/her vocation. It is God’s grace that empowers us to uphold the virtue of chastity, enabling us to regulate sexual desires and actions. The Christian faithful, by living a chaste life, are able to see others as having value. They see the dignity of another, not seeing others as simply a sexual object. For example, a married person who lives chastely lives in fidelity to his or her spouse, seeking always the good of the spouse and family over personal wants and desires.

Sexual Conduct – Code of Conduct for Church Personnel

Child & Youth Protection