By Cristina Cabrera Jarro -
Photographer: ROCIO GRANADOS| LVC
Every finger counts, even for the archbishop. Erica Gutierrez, archdiocesan Background Check coordinator, guides Archbishop Thomas Wenski through the process of re-doing his fingerprints, as required every five years for all archdiocesan personnel and volunteers.
Photographer: ROCIO GRANADOS|LVC
Before getting back to work, Archbishop Thomas Wenski poses with the Safe Environment staff, from left: Myriam Leinweber, Background Check coordinator, Jan Rayburn, Virtus Training coordinator, and Erica Gutierrez, Background Check coordinator.
MIAMI | When we think of fingerprints, the images of a black inkpad and the latest episode of the television crime series CSI come to mind. While the scenario is not entirely off-base, fingerprinting is no longer reserved for criminals, and gone are the days of the blotchy inky mess, as the ink pad has been traded for a digital fingerprint scanner.
For employees and volunteers in the Archdiocese of Miami, fingerprints are a requirement. No one is exempt, not even Archbishop Thomas Wenski.
On June 23, the archbishop renewed his fingerprints at the Pastoral Center. Under the Archdiocesan Policy for Creating and Maintaining a Safe Environment for Children and Vulnerable Adults, Archbishop Wenski and all Church personnel ages 18 and older who minister, work, or volunteer in any school, parish, or ministry are required to undergo fingerprinting and criminal background screening. Fingerprints and background screening are valid for five years, and then must be renewed, which was the case for the archbishop.
This is also a good reminder for everyone, especially parents who want to accompany their children on field trips or volunteer in Catholic schools during the year: Get your fingerprints done while summer is underway, in order to beat the back-to-school rush.
For more information on fingerprinting and background check requirements, visit www.miamiarch.org and click on Protecting God’s Children, or search for the keyword “fingerprinting.”
