Termination of Services

Voluntary Termination

This is a willful termination of service by a Catechist after reaching an agreement with the Priest in-charge through the Director. Under such circumstances, the Catechist will put in writing his/her intentions.

The following are the rules that will govern notice period by either the Catechist or the Diocese:

Notice of Termination of Service/Contract Termination; the appointment may be terminated by either giving the other three (3) months’ written notice or one month’s salary in lieu of notice. No reason needs to be given.
Where a contract is due to expire the prescribed notice therein will be given to the Catechist that the contract will or will not be renewed. In cases where it is not possible to implement the notice period of renewal or termination of a contract, it may be extended in writing only by the Director in consultation with the Coordinator and the Catechetical Commission for a period to be agreed upon with the employee, sending the resolutions of the matter that caused the delay.

Involuntary Termination

The Diocese may terminate services of an Catechist on the following grounds with all benefits:-

Inability to perform satisfactorily as required in one’s appointment
Failure to co-operate and uphold the polices and procedures that the Diocese has established
Persistent signs of life inconsistent with the Christian standards
Redundancy: The principle of “last in first out” will apply.

Interdiction

The Director in consultation with the Coordinator may interdict a Catechist from exercising powers and functions of his/her office, if the Director is satisfied that it is in the interest of the Diocese to do so. By so doing, the Director shall decide the remuneration to be given to the Interdicted Catechist, which will not be less than half his/her salary. The Director will inform the Committee of the action taken as soon as possible in order to have it examine the matter accordingly.

Summary Dismissal

The following words, which define circumstances that may lead to summary dismissal, are hereby defined in this document as follows:-

Misdemeanor:

This includes isolated slip or omission or a minor transgression such as unpunctuality. A misdemeanor may amount to misconduct where the act of omission is repeated. Where a Catechist is found guilty of misdemeanor, a warning (verbal or written) will be issued.

Misconduct:

Misconduct includes breach of terms and conditions of service, rules and regulations or other acts or omission specified as misconduct.

Gross Misconduct:

Gross Misconduct includes; Theft , forgery, assault, a conviction on a criminal charge relevant to employment by the Diocese, breach of secrecy, drunkenness, insubordination or other offences of serious nature.

Summary Dismissal

Indicators of gross misconduct which may lead to summary dismissal without any notice or benefits:-

Absentism from service without permission for a period of ten days or more
Willfully neglecting to perform one’s duty consistently
Use of abusive or insulting language to any person
Persistent resistance to the Parish Priest and/or Director’s directions
A constant surly attitude (bad temperedness, rudeness, uncivil, arrogance and domineering behaviour);
Continual divisive behaviour;
A habitual unforgiving and bitter spirit which hinders effective team unity;
A continuing unteachable attitude: vocational, professional and/or spiritual;
Cases of immorality which by association affect Diocesan Catechetical work;
Minor offences frequently repeated.

Termination Process Due to Unsatisfactory Performance

A Catechist will be given two written notices of unsatisfactory behaviour. In case of gross misconduct, as defined in the employment act, a Catechist's services may be terminated with immediate effect. The Catechetical Commission in consultation with the Parish Priest will take such action after approval. A Catechist who is negligent or commits a misconduct which does not warrant instant dismissal may be warned in writing and the following procedures shall apply: -

The first and second warning shall be entered into the Catechist’s file and signed by the Catechist or by 2 witnesses for the verbal warning;
If Catechist who has already received two warnings commits a misconduct a third time, he/she may be terminated in accordance with the provision of the Employment Act of the diocesan statutes.
In the case of gross misconduct as defined in the employment Act, an employee may be summarily dismissed.
The Diocesan Catechetical department retains the right to undertake necessary legal steps for cases of misappropriation and willful mismanagement of its resources.

Grievance, Discipline and Discharge

If the Parish Priest/Catechetical Director judges that a Catechist’s performance is unsatisfactory, he shall provide the Catechist with a written statement identifying the areas of deficient performance and what is required for acceptable performance. If the Catechist’s performance does not improve or if he/she otherwise commits a misconduct which does not warrant instant dismissal he/she will be issued with a warning in writing. The first and the second warning will be entered in his/her file. If a Catechist who had already received two warnings commits a third misconduct, he/she will be liable to summary dismissal. A Catechist may be summarily dismissed for gross misconduct.

If the Parish Priest/Catechetical Director judges that aCatechist’s performance is unsatisfactory, he shall provide the Catechist with a written statement identifying the areas of deficient performance and what is required for acceptable performance. If the Catechist’s performance does not improve or if he/she otherwise commits a misconduct which does not warrant instant dismissal he/she will be issued with a warning in writing. The first and the second warning will be entered in his/her file. If a Catechist who had already received two warnings commits a third misconduct, he/she will be liable to summary dismissal. A Catechist may be summarily dismissed for gross misconduct.

Depending upon the outcome of the investigation, the suspension may or may not be revoked. A temporary disciplinary suspension not exceeding three months will constitute a break in service or affect the operation of gratuity or pension. In a case involving damage of property due to negligence the cost of replacement or repair may be reclaimed in part or full consultation with the Director who shall sign the dismissal notice.

Compulsory Retirement

Where it appears to the parish Priest that there is reason why a Catechist who holds a pensionable duty should be called upon to retire from the service on the grounds that he/she has reached the age, in which he/she can be lawfully required to retire, the Director/parish Priest shall advise the Catechist that his/her retirement is under consideration to see that if he/she wishes to make any presentation, together with his own observations to the Catechetical Commission, which shall decide if such a Catechist should be called upon to retire.

In cases of smooth temination of service, the Diocesan Catechetical Program will bear the costs of transporting the Catechists, their families and personal belongings to the respective place of domicile.

Farewell/Death of Catechist

The Diocesan Catechetical Program will be involved in the demise of a Catechist, Spouse, Children and to an extend immediate Parents. The following issues must be borne in mind:-

In dealing with death issues, the Diocesan Catechetical Program will seek in playing the role of assisting the bereaved to lay their beloved to rest in respect of culture and tradition.

Information about the death of persons as listed above should be communicated to the levels concerned. Where death of a Catechist occurs while on duty, care must be taken to ensure that the next of kin is informed of the death before any formal announcements are made to the public.

The Pastoral Coordinator will convene a meeting of the Catechetical Commission to seek the best way to console and assist the bereaved. He will make an announcement to all Catechists as soon as possible and keep them informed about the funeral arrangements.

The community of the Catechist concerned will co-ordinate the following:-

Masses and Prayers as well as appropriate moral support to the bereaved family
Condolence visits to the bereaved family
Contributions toward funeral expenses

The extent of the Catechetical participation will be as follows:-

Official condolence to the bereaved family by fellow catechists and the leaders
Assuring representation of the Catechists at the funeral
Granting compassionate leave to the affected Catechist in case of family loss.
Follow up visits to continue moral support for loss
Anniversaries to conducted yearly

Facilitation of death benefits in accordance with the policy of Catechists Welfare Fund (CAWEF) if he/she is a member. In case of savings, beneficiaries should be notified and facilitated.