Staff and volunteers of the Roman Catholic church on P.E.I. will be undergoing background checks some time in the coming months.

'Today it's common practice to do screening … You're there to protect the young people.'— Father Eric Dunn

Father Eric Dunn, chancellor of the Diocese of Charlottetown, told CBC News the church is simply catching up with what other organizations have been doing for years.

"It's exactly the same thing that would happen in the Summer Games screening process, baseball teams or hockey teams, over whatever the case may be," said Dunn.

"Today it's common practice to do screening, to protect the coaches. You're there to protect the young people, and others who could be vulnerable. That's what we're doing in the church."

The idea of screening people who work with those who are vulnerable -- like children -- came from the new bishop. Richard Grecco came to the diocese last year.

On March 8, priests and two lay people from each Island parish will take part in a workshop about screening volunteers and staff, including priests themselves. Dunn said people in high risk categories, such as those who deal with young people on a regular basis, would have to undergo a criminal background check. Some people may also have their references checked.

Dunn said the church hasn't had any complaints about its workers; it's simply an idea the Grecco suggested when he started his new job. Dunn added it is also a liability issue.

"There is the possibility that as far as liability is concerned, that we mightn't get as high an amount of public liability as we could if we didn't do this," he said.

Dunn says the priests and lay people will be setting up committees following the March workshop to come up specifics about how the screening will happen in their parishes.