Catholic Youth & Young Adult Ministry
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Commentary Sections
Boundaries
Commentary » Boundaries
MoreBoundaries
Last Revised on January 13, 2012
Those who minister to young people have an obligation to act with personal integrity in all their dealings, but it is also important to avoid even the impression of impropriety. For their own protection, and to help maintain a comfortable environment for the youth whom they serve, ministers should always be aware of the impression they create. Certain professional habits can help protect the integrity of one's ministry.
Be aware of your limitations regarding confidentiality. If a young person says, “If I tell you something do you promise not to tell anyone else” (or similar), say at once that you are required by law to report anything that would lead you to believe that harm may come to someone. This message can be delivered effectively without being offensive. Pastoral caregivers are not protected by any laws regarding confidentiality. Federal law mandates that you must disclose relevant information in the following situations, without exception:
Reports or investigations of suspected child abuse or neglect and suspected abuse or neglect of an impaired adult
Certainly there are times when privacy is necessary, such as during one-on-one mentoring or pastoral counseling. The kind of pastoral counseling youth ministers do is generally informal, but even so it is still a function of professional ministry and should be done in a professional manner. It is good policy to have parameters in any counseling situation, such as:
Arrange the meeting space so that you and the young person are a comfortable distance apart.
Have a set beginning and ending time for the session. If it is necessary to go beyond the set time, inform another person of the change in schedule.
If you meet outside of regular office hours, especially in the evening, it is best not to meet in your office or your home. A public place, such as a restaurant, may suit your purpose.
Know when to end the relationship. If you feel the young person has developed an unhealthy attraction to you, or vice versa, it would be best to refer him or her to another person. Also, know your limitations. If you think the issues being raised go beyond the scope of pastoral counseling, you should refer the young person to a qualified mental health professional. Young people are at a stage of continuous emotional development and upheaval and can easily become infatuated with caring adults. These attractions are a normal part of growing up and are a cause for concern when they go too far. Knowing when to end a relationship is of paramount importance.
Related Policies:
Everyone involved in youth ministry is to maintain appropriate physical and emotional boundaries in their work with young people. 2045