Holy Synod issues updated background check guidelines
At their most recent meeting held March 18-21, 2014, the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops, in conjunction with the Office for Review of Sexual Misconduct Allegations (ORSMA) issued guidelines for background checks. On July 20, 2014, a final, revised set of guidelines were issued.
“Background checks must be obtained, and must be renewed every three years, for all readers, subdeacons, deacons, priests, and bishops in the Orthodox Church in America, as well as for all laypersons who have more than incidental contact with children in the course of their work in the Church,” said Archpriest John Jillions, OCA Chancellor. “While the guidelines recommend a company that provides background checks, parishes may utilize other companies, so long as they offer comparable products and costs.”
The revised guidelines are available in PDF format on the OCA web site.