Diocesan Social Media Policy

INTRODUCTION: The Diocese of Lnfayette and its affiliates recognize that, with the
increasing prevalence of the Internet in the world today, clergy, employees, and
volunteers will use the Internet to conduct ministry, educate, and communicate with
the faithful, associates and friends. Social media in particular, provides various ways
for individuals to interact and has changed the way we communicate and share
information. The Diocese encourages pastors, principals, and administrators to
support the use of social media and give clergy, employees, and volunteers the
necessary training and tools to interact safely and responsibly online. Those using
social media must be aware that certain comments and information can misrepresent
the positions and activities of the Church, Diocese of Lafayette, and its affiliates.
Clergy, employees, and volunteers are required to adhere to the following policy
regarding social media for evangelization, education, and personal use, including but
not limited to:
social networks, text/instant messaging, websites and blogs.

Social Media~ Diocese of Lafayette and Affiliates
1. Tlie Diocese supports the use of social media tools as a means to conduct ministry and
education. Social media is a powerful tool; therefore, sites affiliated with diocesan
institutions (parishes, schools, offices, etc.) may not be used for: 1) conducting outside
business 2) defaming the character of any individual or institution 3) misrepresenting the
positions or activities of the Diocese of Lafayette or its affiliates 4) divulging any personal
information, particularly about minors that would jeopardize their safety or well-being in
any way. Supervisors who approve individuals to create a website are responsible for
monitoring the website.

Social Media-Personal Use
2. The Diocese of Lafayette and its affiliates recognize clergy, employees, and volunteers
may create personal websites, blogs and social media identities (pseudonym, alias or
handle i.e. @thegospeltruth) as a medium of self-expression, i.e. not a direct extension of
church ministry or work. However, clergy, employees, and volunteers must recognize that
anything published on a personal website is effectively available to the public. Any
information that misrepresents the positions and activities of the Church, the Diocese of
Lafayette and its affiliates is prohibited. Personal sites used for diocesan work, ministry, or
education are subject to monitoring by their supervisor or designees. Reference should be
made to pertinent canon law (see especially canons 220, 666, 747, 761, 779, 804, 822,
1063, and 13 69), state and federal law, the professional code of conduct, employee
policies, and contracts. Clergy, employees, and volunteers who are identifiable as affiliated
with the Diocese of Lafayette are required to put the following notice in a reasonably
prominent place on their personal website:

"The opinions expressed here are those of [ name of person ] alone, This site operates
independently and is not associated with the Diocese of Lafayette or [name of
parish/school].,,
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Protection of Minors
3. Clergy, employees, and volunteers are prohibited from posting or distributing personal,
identifiable information, including photos and/or videos, of any minor without verifiable
consent of a parent or guardian, Personal identifiable information includes full name, photos,
home address, email address, telephone number or any information that would allow
someone to identify or contact a minor. Verifiable consent will take the form of a signed
release/permission form from a parent/guardian. Ministry, educational, and personal websites
may involve the use of a username and password to access all or portions of the site, In the
event that clergy, employees, or volunteers, subject to approval by the Diocese of Lafayette
or its affiliates, gives a minor access to a website that is not otherwise openly accessible to
the public, that same access must also be provided to the minor's parent/legal guardian.
Social media at times involves the interaction between adults and minors, therefore, two (2)
Safe Environment certified adults must have unrestricted access to monitor these types of
communication, and at least one (1) of the two (2) adults must be employed by the institution
(diocesan office, parish, school etc,).

Confidential and Proprietary Information
4. Clergy, employees, and volunteers are prohibited from disclosing information that is
understood to be private property or privileged according to the norms of canon law, state
and federal law, diocesan policy, the professional code of conduct and contractual
obligations.

Trademarks and Logos
5, Personal use of trademarks and logos that are protected intellectual property of the
Diocese of Lafayette and its affiliates is prohibited.

Inappropriate Material
6. It is prohibited to post immoral and otherwise inappropriate material via social media.
Inappropriate material includes but is not limited to: obscene, harassing, offensive,
derogatory, defamatory, or sexually explicit comments, links, or images/video. Reference
should be made to pertinent canon law (see especially canons 220,666, 747,761,779,804,
822, 1063, and 1369), state and federal law, the professional code of conduct, employee
policies, and contracts.

Enforcement
7. Failure to comply with any of the provisions of the Social Media Policy will be grounds
for discipline, up to and including termination or removal from position. The Diocese of
Lafayette and its affiliates reserve the right to make changes to this policy at any time, at its
sole discretion, and interpret and administer the policy in light of changing circumstances and
events. The Diocese of Lafayette gratefully acknowledges the generosity of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the Diocese of Dallas, in
granting the use of its social media policies and guidelines as a resomce in the development
of this policy.
Approved: + Michael Jarrell
Date: February 22, 2013
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