Background Screening Mission

Background Screening is a process used by the Church to secure the safety of our children, youth, elderly, and the disabled.  Carrying out background checks on those who minister to our most vulnerable populations enables us to live up to our commitment and responsibility to provide a safe environment for those we serve.

Background Screening History

The Archdiocese began to access criminal offender record information (CORI) in August of 2000. In response, The Office of Background Screening, directs a centralized Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system in support of the Policies and Procedures for the Protection of Children.

• Screen those individuals who may have access to children or vulnerable adults in our parishes and schools.
• Provide technical assistance to parishes and schools in setting up and following processes for completing and tracking background screening.

Additional Screening

In 2015, as a recommendation from the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) we began conducting National Sex Offender Registry Checks (NSOPW) on all staff volunteers within both the parishes and schools. Members of clergy, deacons, and seminarians must also undergo the national sex offender registry check.

The National Sex Offender Registry is overseen by the US Department of Justice. This allows us to receive all available sex offender registry information nationally. This check includes Massachusetts as well.

Along with the CORI, we are conducting the NSOPW check annually.  

For more information:

The Office of Background Screening
617-746-5840
[email protected]