Integrity in the Service of the Church for Lay Workers
What is it all about? The document, Integrity in the Service of the Church, outlines principles for all people who perform paid or unpaid work in the service of the Catholic Church throughout Australia. And its principles guide the work carried out by Church Workers.
Church Workers that s all of us! Integrity in the Service of the Church has been developed to enable Church Workers, along with clergy and religious brothers and sisters to have clear guidelines for the behavioural standards that is expected of us all. It applies to all staff and volunteers in organisations and bodies within the Catholic Church.
What is it all about? It is based on the understanding that our work contributes to the wider mission of the Church. And that Mission originates in the teaching of Jesus: that he had come that all might have life, life in all its fullness. Our work in our various roles enable others to have life hopefully, life in all its fullness.
What is it all about? The principles and standards in The Integrity in the Service of the Church document, parallel those for religious brothers and sisters and clergy found in Integrity in Ministry.
How do we use the document? It is meant as a guide to assist organisations to develop or review existing processes to meet their own particular circumstances or needs. It also aims to help Church workers reflect on and uphold Christian vision and values in all relationships and action.
The History of the Document The National Committee for Professional Standards (a group brought together by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference) prepared this document from 2007 to 2009 following wide consultation. It was designed to ensure the work of all the Catholic bodies and organisations is professional, accountable and transparent.
How it works There are five over-arching principles in the document, that are broken down into behaviours associated with the service of Church Workers. There is also a biblical reference for each principle, to ensure that they are grounded in biblical teaching.
The 5 Principles 1. Church Workers are committed to Justice and Equity 2. Church Workers uphold the dignity of all people and their right to respect 3. Church Workers are committed to safe and supportive relationships 4. Church Workers reach out to those who are poor, alienated or marginalised 5. Church Workers strive for excellence in the performance of their work
Principle 1 - Church Workers are committed to Justice and Equity
Principle 1 Biblical Reference You have been told what is good and what the Lord requires of you: but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God (From the Old Testament Micah 6:8)
Principle 1 - Justice and Equity For the Church, JUSTICE is central to its Mission. There is a thread that runs through the Bible reminding us that our ritual and activities are incomplete if we do not live and act justly as a community. Jesus took up the same message many times. The reign of God is visible when the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the poor and outcast gathered into the communion of God s love and given their just share in the gifts of creation.
Principle 1 The Behaviours 1.1 Church Workers exhibit justice and fairness in relationships and service. 1.2 Church Workers promote proper working conditions characterised by justice and fairness. 1.3 Church Workers recognise injustice, unfairness and abuse when it occurs in the workplace and respond appropriately. 1.4 Church Workers act responsibly and are accountable in the use of resources.
Principle 2 - Church Workers uphold the dignity of all people and their right to respect
Principle 2 Biblical Reference The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free (from the Gospel of Luke 4:18)
Principle 2 Dignity and Respect Jesus often surprised his contemporaries, as he made God s love for every person very clear. He made sure the poor, the young, the sick and those publicly regarded as sinners were invited into God s love. For this reason the Church (and Centacare) also, in all its actions, makes clear the dignity and value of every person, especially those most vulnerable.
Principle 2 The Behaviours 2.1 Church Workers treat all people with respect, sensitivity and courtesy. 2.2 Church Workers embrace diversity and difference in those they serve or with whom they work. 2.3 Church Workers promote personal growth and development in those with whom they come in contact.
Principle 3 - Church Workers are committed to safe and supportive relationships
Principle 3 Biblical Reference For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid, instead, God s spirit fills us with power, love and self- control. (from the New Testament -2 Timothy 1:7)
Principle 3 Safe and Supportive The ministry of serving society, human dignity and human rights is intrinsic to the Church s mission and life In the context of the relationship with society, the Church s role (and therefore Centacare s role) contributes to four socially significant objectives: 1. The protection of human dignity 2. The protection of human rights 3. The unity of the human family 4. The provision of a sense of meaning to every area of activity. (Towards a More Just World)
Principle 3 The Behaviours 3.1 Church Workers know, understand and respect the physical and emotional boundaries of adults, children and young people. 3.2 Church Workers are aware of the dangers involved when the boundaries between personal and service relationships are blurred. 3.3 Church Workers understand the importance of meeting their own personal emotional needs outside work relationships.
Principle 3 The Behaviours 3.4 Church Workers take appropriate action when a relationship is not benefitting those being served. 3.5 Church Workers understand the problems which can occur because of the imbalance of power in a service relationship.
Principle 4 - Church Workers reach out to those who are poor, alienated or marginalised
Principle 4 Biblical Reference Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. (from the Gospel of Matthew 25:40)
Principle 4 Reach Out In 1968, the Catholic Church leadership in Rome wrote about this principle, and said In its various forms material deprivation, unjust oppression, physical and psychological illness and death human misery elicited the compassion of Christ, who willingly took it upon himself and identified himself with them. (CDF instruction Libertatis conscientia, 68) We know that Jesus walked with, and responded to, those who were marginalised by the society in which he lived and we are called to do likewise in our work at Centacare and in our communities.
Principle 4 The Behaviours 4.1 Church Workers, in word and action, cooperate in bringing about a just world and a truly human community. 4.2 Church Workers involved with people who are vulnerable or abused express particular concern, care and protection for them.
Principle 4 The Behaviours 4.3 Church Workers treat those who are alienated or marginalised with understanding and compassion. 4.4 Church Workers act with justice and consideration towards those who are poor or disadvantaged. 4.5 Church Workers who are policy and decision makers work to create conditions where those who are poor, alienated or marginalised are treated with understanding and compassion.
Principle 5 - Church Workers strive for excellence in the performance of their work
Principle 5 Biblical Reference Now there are a variety of gifts, but the same spirit, and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord, and there are a variety of activities but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone (from the New Testament - 1 Corinthians 12: 4)
Principle 5 Excellence in Work Church work calls for the application of skills appropriate to different types of service in the Church. Competence in the skills needed for each particular area of Church work is necessary for all of us. The demand for justice means that we develop and maintain the skills our particular work requires. It also means that we recognise the limitation of our skills, and the implications that has for those being served.
Principle 5 The Behaviours 5.1 Church Workers commit themselves to providing professional and competent service. 5.2 Church Workers commit themselves to ongoing professional development. 5.3 Church Workers commit themselves to effective professional working relationships with colleagues, clients and all to whom they minister.
Principles at Work Ask yourself: When these principles are applied properly in our life and work, what should/would it look like?
What have you learned from this?