Report Abuse
Sexual Misconduct Brochure
Preventing | Responding | Reporting
Our Commitment
We, at the San Diego Catholic Diocese, are doing everything in our power to prevent the sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults by priests and other diocesan staff. At the same time, we are working to be as transparent as possible regarding past allegations of sexual abuse.
With sorrow and shame, we take responsibility for the actions of some of our priests who betrayed their sacred vows and committed abuse. Although the overwhelming number of these cases occurred in the 1960s through the 1980s, nothing is acceptable other than zero.
We deeply apologize to each victim for the harm inflicted on him or her, and we offer our help now and in the future.
Starting in 2002, the U.S. Catholic Church implemented programs that contributed to a dramatic drop in new allegations of abuse. No priest in the San Diego Diocese has been found to have sexually abused a minor since 2004, as determined by an Independent Review Board.
How we protect children
Starting in 2002, the U.S. Catholic Church directed every diocese to implement Safe Environment programs to keep children safe from sexual abuse. These were mandated in the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” which was a response to the revelations of sexual abuse by priests and other clergy.
The San Diego diocese implemented these programs at all of its parishes, schools and administrative offices. The diocese reviews compliance yearly at all of those locales. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has found the San Diego diocese to be in compliance in every one of its audits.
How we protect children
Starting in 2002, the U.S. Catholic Church directed every diocese to implement Safe Environment programs to keep children safe from sexual abuse. These were mandated in the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” which was a response to the revelations of sexual abuse by priests and other clergy.
The San Diego diocese implemented these programs at all of its parishes, schools and administrative offices. The diocese reviews compliance yearly at all of those locales. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has found the San Diego diocese to be in compliance in every one of its audits.
How to report suspected abuse and what diocese does
Anyone who believes they were the victim of sexual abuse by a member of the clergy, church or school staff may contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator. A report may be made regardless of when the abuse occurred. Reports may be made in English or Spanish.
Bishop’s Message
Since 2002, the Diocese of San Diego has adopted sweeping measures to help victims of clergy sexual abuse, swiftly report any allegation to police authorities and to implement rigorous programs to protect children. But the listening sessions we undertook in the fall of 2018 have made it clear that this effort must be dramatically expanded. The first steps to do this have already been undertaken and I’m announcing new ones.
Bishop’s Message
Since 2002, the Diocese of San Diego has adopted sweeping measures to help victims of clergy sexual abuse, swiftly report any allegation to police authorities and to implement rigorous programs to protect children. But the listening sessions we undertook in the fall of 2018 have made it clear that this effort must be dramatically expanded. The first steps to do this have already been undertaken and I’m announcing new ones.