Clergy background checks are conducted through Praesidium by the diocese when there is a new priest called to serve a congregation. The results are sent to the diocese for the bishop’s review. The diocese pays the bill up front and invoices the congregation for which the background check was conducted.
Congregations may also request that the diocese arrange background checks for lay employees through its standard screening process. The standard employee screening includes a Multi-State and National Sex Offender Registry search, County Criminal Search, and Address-to-Criminal-History Search (with a seven-year look back period). A Motor Vehicle Report search may be added for an additional fee when job responsibilities warrant it. The Diocese will invoice the congregation for the cost of any lay employee screening conducted through this process.
You may wish to use a vendor such as Secure Search. Additional options for background checks are: Maine Sex Offender Registry (free), Maine Driver Record Check ($7), Maine Criminal Background Check ($31) and the National Sex Offender Registry (free).
The congregation is responsible for the cost of any lay employee background screening. Because information from various sources may be received at different times, it is prudent to inform prospective employees that any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of the background check process.
You will want all lay and clergy employees to complete our Safe Church Training.
If you turn up any red flags, priests or wardens can be in touch with the diocesan office to strategize about next steps.
Please reach out to Executive Assistant to the Bishop, Lauralee Raymond, with questions.