POL-01: Safeguarding Policy for Children & Vulnerable Adults
Document ID: POL-2017-001
Entity: Ekklēsía Iwigá, Inc. (An Old-fCatholic World Communion Ministry)
Effective Date: April 12, 2017
Updated Date: July 8, 2026
Approved By: Board of Directors
Scope: All Ordained Clergy, Ministers, Virtual Facilitators, Board Members, Volunteers, and Virtual Participants
1. Purpose & Institutional Framework
Ekklēsía Iwigá, Inc., as an Old Catholic World Communion Ministry, holds governance and participant safety as sacred, solemn responsibilities (diakonia). Operating at the highest standards of ecclesiastical integrity, international human rights frameworks (including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities), United States federal law, and California state law, Ekklēsía Iwigá maintains an absolute zero-tolerance policy for abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, harassment, discrimination, or spiritual harm across all virtual ministries and community initiatives.
2. Scope of Protection
Recognizing the intrinsic dignity of every human being, safeguarding protections explicitly extend to all vulnerable populations, including minors, seniors, adults with physical or developmental disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, indigent community members, displaced persons, and survivors of institutional trauma.
3. Operational Directives
3.1 Mandatory Screening & Background Clearances: All ordained clergy, ministers, virtual facilitators, board members, and volunteer leaders must complete comprehensive national (USA) criminal F.B.I. background checks, sex offender registry checks, and professional reference verifications prior to engagement in ministry operations.
3.2 Safe Virtual Spaces & Digital Protocols: All virtual support circles and individual companioning sessions adhere to strict digital safeguarding standards. Unconsented recording, unauthorized screen capturing, doxxing, or harassment inside virtual containers results in immediate removal, administrative revocation of access, and referral to law enforcement where required by law.
3.3 Financial & Administrative Boundaries: Ministers and facilitators offer non-clinical spiritual accompaniment only. Ekklēsía Iwigá personnel are strictly prohibited from taking custody of participant assets, managing personal finances, soliciting personal gifts, or assuming legal power-of-attorney (POA) for care seekers.
3.4 Statutory Mandatory Reporting Standards: All ordained clergy, facilitators, and leadership operate as statutory mandatory reporters under applicable United States federal laws and California state laws, including the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) and the California Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act, regarding any reasonable suspicion of child abuse, elder abuse, dependent adult neglect, or exploitation.
4. Governance & Reporting Contact
To report a safeguarding concern or request policy documentation, contact the Compliance Office:
Ekklēsía Iwigá, Inc. — Compliance Office
2060 N. Capitol Ave, #9040, San Jose, CA 95132
Email: compliance@ekklesiaiwiga.org
Phone: (669) 832-9007