Save Environment

Providing a safe environment for all children and vulnerable adults is a top priority for the leadership at St. Thomas Aquinas.

The Essential 3 Requirements for Working in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

For anyone in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis who has regular or unsupervised contact with children, youth, or vulnerable adults, the Essential 3 (E3) is a mandatory credentialing process. It ensures that all clergy, parish and school employees, and volunteers meet strict safety and conduct standards.

The Three Essential Requirements

1. Background Check

        • Conducted by an archdiocesan-approved agency.

        • Provides a criminal history to screen out individuals who might pose a danger to children and youth 

2. Safe Environment Training

        • Typically delivered via the VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children online program.

        • Covers child and youth safety, abuse prevention, and the Archdiocese’s specific procedures for reporting suspected abuse 

3. Code of Conduct

        • Involves reading and agreeing to abide by the archdiocese’s principles and standards for protecting children and vulnerable adults.

        • Must be signed and re-signed every three years 

Renewal and Re-Credentialing

• Every 3 years, you must complete:

• A new background check

• A new Code of Conduct agreement

• A retraining module in the Safe Environment program