For a visitation to the Catholic Diocese of Darwin (including visits for the purpose of a holiday), the following requirements for incoming Clergy, Deacons, Religious Brothers and Sisters, Seminarians and Novices are as follows;
Option 1 – with ACMR ID#
- Completion of the ACMR Form (with ACMR ID # details)
- Interstate Working with Children Check (WWCC) and
- NT Working with Children Clearance (WWCC)
The Australian Catholic Ministry Register (ACMR) is currently managed by Australian Catholic Standards Ltd (ACSL) with placement on the register providing assurance that the Clergy or Religious remains in good standing and meets all national requirements in accordance with the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards. (Standard 5.7.1) Once registered and provided with an ACMR ID Number, all Clergy, Deacons, Religious Brothers and Sisters, Novices and Seminarians are able to use this ID Number in any diocese throughout Australia to confirm their good standing. When provided, the individual’s name and status is able to be verified via the secure online system.
For visitations less than 30 days in a 12 month period, the Working with Children Check presented from another state can be accepted, however if the visitation is for more than 30 days in a 12 month period, the Working with Children Check presented from another state is not able to be accepted on its own which is in accordance with Northern Territory law. In these instances, the NT Working with Children Clearance will also need to be obtained.
The NT Working with Children Clearance can be obtained via the following link;
https://nt.gov.au/emergency/community-safety/apply-for-a-working-with-children-clearance
ONCE THE COMPLETED PAPERWORK HAS BEEN RECEIVED:
The appropriate verification of documentation will take place and permission to minister in the Diocese will, if appropriate then be issued by the Bishop’s Office.
- In the case of Clerics (Persons under Holy Orders), a letter granting permissions to exercise clerical ministry will be prepared for the Bishop’s approval.
- In the case of other Religious, a letter of welcome will be prepared for the Bishop’s approval
- For any visitation and transfers into the Diocese, Clergy, Deacons, Religious Brothers and Sisters, Seminarians and Novices will be required to attend training on Safe Environments.
The Parish Priest within the Darwin Diocese will be notified that this permission has been granted.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE VISITATION PERIOD:
At the conclusion of the approved visitation period, a representative from the Bishop’s office will follow-up to confirm that the placement has concluded. In the event that an extension to the approved period becomes necessary, a ‘Variation to Length of Stay’ . The request for the extended approval for an additional period will be reassessed at that time.
Option 2 – without ACMR ID #
- Completion of the Interstate with Declarations Form
- Presentation of either a signed Safeguarding Statement Form Or Individual Safeguarding Declaration and Disclosure Form**
- Interstate Working with Children Check (WWCC) and
- NT Working with Children Clearance (WWCC)
Annotations:
* Safeguarding Statement Form should be used where the Bishop or Ordinary can fully affirm the individual’s good standing.
** Safeguarding Declaration and Disclosure Form should be used in instances where individual disclosures are required to be made and the Bishop or Ordinary is not able to affirm all statements contained within the declaration form
In the absence of an ACMR ID #, the Clergy, Deacons, Religious Brothers and Sisters, Seminarians and Novices are required to provide either a signed ‘Safeguarding Statement form’ or ‘Individual Safeguarding Declaration and Disclosure’ form in relation to professional standards.
For visitations less than 30 days in a 12 month period, the Working with Children Check presented from another state can be accepted, however if the visitation is for more than 30 days in a 12 month period, the Working with Children Check presented from another state is not able to be accepted on its own which is in accordance with Northern Territory law. In these instances, a NT Working with Children Clearance will also need to be obtained.
The NT Working with Children Clearance can be obtained via the following link;
https://nt.gov.au/emergency/community-safety/apply-for-a-working-with-children-clearance
ONCE THE COMPLETED PAPERWORK HAS BEEN RECEIVED:
The appropriate verification of documentation will take place and permission to minister in the Diocese will, if appropriate then be issued by the Bishop’s Office.
In the case of Clerics (Persons under Holy Orders), a letter granting permissions to exercise clerical ministry will be prepared for the Bishop’s approval.
- In the case of other Religious, a letter of welcome will be prepared for the Bishop’s approval
- For any stays exceeding 10 days the Clergy, Deacons, Religious Brothers and Sisters, Seminarians and Novices will be issued with a ‘Mandatory Reporting Factsheet’.
- For any stays exceeding 30 days, the Clergy, Deacons, Religious Brothers and Sisters, Seminarians and Novices may be required to attend training on safe environments
The Parish Priest within the Darwin Diocese will be notified that this permission has been granted.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE VISITATION PERIOD:
At the conclusion of the approved visitation period, a representative from the Bishop’s office will follow-up to confirm that the visitation has concluded. In the event that an extension to the approved period becomes necessary, a ‘Variation to Length of Stay’ .document is required to be completed and submitted. The request for the extended approval for an additional period will be reassessed at that time.