Serving Safely at
Corpus Christi
A simple path for parish ministers and volunteers.
Thank you for saying yes to ministry. At Corpus Christi, the safety and dignity of children, teens, and vulnerable adults come first. Our diocese uses VIRTUS to make the process clear and consistent for everyone. This page walks you through it, step by step.
Why we do this
The Catholic Church in the United States commits to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People—our promise to protect and pledge to heal. The Diocese of Charleston puts that commitment into practice through Safe Environment training, screening, and clear conduct standards for all who serve.
Who needs to complete these steps
All clergy and diocesan employees, and all parish ministers and volunteers who have access to minors or vulnerable adults. Re‑training and re‑screening occur every five years.
What you will do
Three quick steps
1
Create or log in to your VIRTUS account
Use the Diocese of Charleston registration link. Enter your contact details, selectCorpus Christi Catholic Church as your location, and choose your role.
2
Finish the online training and policy acknowledgments
Complete Protecting God’s Children online and electronically sign the Child Protection Policy, Code of Conduct, and Social Media Policy. When you finish, your certificate stays in your VIRTUS account for easy access.
3
Complete the secure, online background screening
After you set up your VIRTUS account, you will complete the required diocesan background screening through a secure online portal. The screening includes a criminal background check, a check of the National Sex Offender Registry, and verification of your basic information. All results are reviewed by the Office of Child and Youth Protection of the Diocese of Charleston, not by the parish.
For those who drive in ministry
If your volunteer role involves driving on behalf of the parish, the diocese requires a driving record check. This is part of keeping everyone safe.
For those who handle funds
For roles that involve handling money or assisting with financial processes, the diocese requires a soft credit check. This does not affect your credit score and is used only to confirm suitability for those specific responsibilities.
Your privacy and peace of mind
All results are reviewed only by the Diocese of Charleston’s Office of Child and Youth Protection and, when necessary, the diocesan Background Screening Review Committee. No one at Corpus Christi - including clergy, parish staff, or ministry leaders - has access to your report or its contents. The parish receives only a simple confirmation of compliance, never the details of the screening.
If a screening raises any question, the Diocese contacts the individual directly with a copy of the report and instructions regarding their rights. This communication comes only from the Office of Child and Youth Protection, not the parish.
Start here
Use this button on the page to open the quick, picture guide for the Diocese of Charleston VIRTUS Registration Instructions
Need help?
Contact the parish office. We are happy to walk you through it, and a member of our staff will assist you professionally at the email address or phone number listed below under Contact Info.
Our commitment
Your willingness to serve strengthens our parish community. The safety of our children, teens, and vulnerable adults is a sacred responsibility rooted in our Catholic faith.
As we follow the Diocese of Charleston’s policies and the Church’s call to safeguard all entrusted to our care, we remain committed to making this process supportive, respectful, and approachable for every parishioner.
Thank you for offering your time, your gifts, and your heart to the mission of Corpus Christi.
