Privacy Policy

This privacy statement is applicable to archchicago.org and its agencies.

The Archdiocese of Chicago policy is to respect and protect the privacy of our users.

The Archdiocese of Chicago does not collect personally identifiable information about individuals except when such individuals specifically provide such information on a voluntary basis. For example, such personally identifiable information may be gathered from an e-mail request for information or service from an agency or ministry of the Archdiocese.

Personally identifiable information on individual users will not be sold or otherwise transferred to unaffiliated third parties without the approval of the user at the time of collection.

The Archdiocese of Chicago may disclose user information in special cases when we have reason to believe that disclosing this information is necessary to identify, contact or bring legal action against someone who may be causing injury to or interference with (either intentionally or unintentionally) the Archdiocese of Chicago rights or property, other Archdiocesan users, or anyone else that could be harmed by such activities. The Archdiocese of Chicago may disclose user information when we believe in good faith that the law requires it.

The Archdiocese reserve the right to perform statistical analyses of user behavior and characteristics in order to measure interest in and use of the various areas of the site and to inform agencies and departments of such information.

In the future, users should be aware that when they voluntarily disclose personally identifiable information (e.g., user name, e-mail address) on bulletin boards or in the chat areas that may be developed and implemented on the Archdiocesan website, that information, along with any substantive information disclosed in the user's communication, can be collected and correlated and used by third parties and may result in unsolicited messages from other posters or third parties. Such activities are beyond the control of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Users also should be aware that non-personal information and data may be automatically collected through the standard operation of the Archdiocese of Chicago Internet servers or through the use of "cookies." Cookies are small text files a website can use to recognize repeat users, facilitate the user's ongoing access to and use of the site and allow the Archdiocese of Chicago to track usage behavior and compile aggregate data that will allow content improvements. Cookies are not programs that come onto a user's system and damage files. Generally, cookies work by assigning a unique number to the user that has no meaning outside the assigning site. Users should be aware that the Archdiocese of Chicago cannot or does not control the use of cookies or the resulting information by third parties hosting data for the Archdiocese of Chicago. If a user does not want information collected through the use of cookies, there is a simple procedure in most browsers that allows the user to deny or accept the cookie feature; however, users should note that cookies may be necessary to provide the user with certain features available on the Archdiocese of Chicago website.

The foregoing policies are effective as of December 17, 2001. The Archdiocese of Chicago reserves the right to change this policy at any time by notifying users of the existence of a new privacy statement. This statement and the policies outlined herein are not intended to and do not create any contractual or other legal rights in or on behalf of any party.

By using this site, you signify your assent to the Archdiocese of Chicago Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our sites. Your continued use of the Archdiocese of Chicago sites following the posting of changes to these terms will mean you accept those changes.