Ethics and Integrity in Ministry

On Jan. 1, 2002, the Catholic Diocese of Austin instated policies on Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM).  EIM compliance is required of all clergy, religious, seminarians, diocesan employees, parish and Catholic school employees, and adult lay persons who volunteer in ministry with minors or vulnerable adults;  or in any ministry, program or organization that serves youth or vulnerable adults in any manner, or functions at a time and place where they are typically present. To be compliant, one submits an EIM Application for Ministry (one time only) and attends an EIM Workshop every three years.

As of March 16, 2020, in-person EIM workshops are postponed until further notice.The EIM Office has developed a temporary online training to fulfill the compliance requirement for those who are due or past due to attend an EIM Workshop. This training includes a frank discussion of sexual abuse; if you have experienced sexual abuse and have concerns about viewing this training, please contact Emily Hurlimann to discuss alternative training.

Anyone may view the abuse prevention videos and information used for this temporary online training; however, to receive EIM workshop attendance credit for participating in this temporary online training, each participant must already have an EIM account.

To begin, please visit the Austin Diocese EIM webpage.

Reporting Abuse or a Notice of Concern

• Make a report to Child Protective Services 
• Make a report to Adult Protective Services
• EIM Notice of Concern
• Reporting Requirements

EIM Policies and Resources

• Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

Resource Articles

• A 10-year Progress Report
• The Nature and Scope of the Problem of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests and Deacons in the United States, 1950-2002

• Faith & Safety
• Children Safety Information Links

The Diocese of Austin is committed to providing confidential and compassionate care to victims of sexual abuse, particularly if the abuse was committed by clergy or a church representative. If you have experienced abuse by someone representing the Catholic Church, please contact Ileana Hinojosa, Coordinator of Victim Assistance and Pastoral Support, at (512) 949-2400.

Mary Cruz
mcruz@st-ignatius.org

Emily Hurlimann
Office of Ethics and Integrity in Ministry
emily-hurlimann@austindiocese.org