Our Diocese, for decades now, has worked diligently to protect all people, most especially our children, young people and vulnerable adults. Among the steps taken have been the establishment of an independent Review Board of professionals from our community to advise the Bishop in cases in which sexual abuse is alleged; mandatory criminal background checks and abuse-prevention training for more than 25,000 clerics, educators, employees and volunteers through our Creating a Safe Environment program; education programs in our schools; codes of conduct; and our Safe and Sacred program aimed at conducting re-training at regular intervals.
As the newly installed Bishop of Rochester, I pledge to continue these initiatives and I remain committed to the guiding principles established in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops adopted in 2002.
These are:
- To respond promptly to all allegations of sexual abuse where there is reasonable belief that abuse has occurred;
- To remove ministerial privileges from the alleged offender promptly and refer him for appropriate medical evaluation and intervention if such an allegation is supported by sufficient evidence;
- To comply with the obligations of civil law for reporting an incident and cooperating with any official investigation;
- To reach out to the victims and their families, and communicate sincere commitment to their spiritual and emotional well-being;
- And to deal as openly as possible with the members of the community within the confines of respect for privacy of all the individuals involved.
It is my fervent prayer that any person who has been harmed by a person in a position of trust and authority within our Church will find the spiritual and emotional healing they deserve. To that end, I encourage those who were victimized to please contact our victims' advocacy office where, I know, you will be received as a son or daughter of God.
Assuring you of my prayer and asking a remembrance in your good prayers, I remain,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano
Bishop of Rochester
