As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability, you can use this webpage to learn about the Archdiocese’s efforts to prevent abuse and to support victim-survivors. You can also learn about our Code of Conduct, protocols for reporting and investigating suspected abuse by those serving in the Archdiocese and for removing offenders from ministry.
It is because of the hard work and dedication of our Safeguard the Children Program staff, and the hundreds of thousands of employees, volunteers, clergy and lay faithful who have participated in the program, new cases of abuse are rare today in the Church in Los Angeles. We remain vigilant in our commitment to protect children and report allegations and remove perpetrators from ministry.
In our ongoing ministry to accompany victim-survivors, we have recently dedicated three Healing Gardens. Inspiration for the garden came largely from a victim-survivor who has worked with Victims Assistance Ministry for many years – he taught horticulture and landscape design in the L.A. Unified School District for 30+ years and shared his experience and vision with us in planning these simple but important gardens. Learn more here.
In the News
New report shows fewer abuse claims brought against U.S. Catholic clerics
A new report from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) shows that across the country from mid... READ MORE »
Old Mission Santa Inés breaks ground on new public healing garden
Visitors to Old Mission Santa Inés in Solvang will soon have a new place of respite after construction of an on-... READ MORE »
For 20 years, LA archdiocese has changed its approach to abuse prevention
Addressing students during the school’s morning Mass on April 12, Father Michael Wakefield, pastor at St. Francis... READ MORE »
Experts look back on 20 years of keeping kids safe
There are few jobs, Susie Lopez will tell you, more rewarding than teaching kids how to stand up to potential preda... READ MORE »
Gardens of Healing help reconnect with the Church
The Archdiocese of LA last month dedicated a new “Garden of Healing” at LA’s St. Bernadette Catholic Church. - READ MORE »
Former Abuse Survivor Motivates Archdiocesan “Garden of Healing”
About five years ago, Joe Montañez sat in the parking lot of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Simi Valley, feel... READ MORE »
‘Garden of Healing’ in Ventura offers silent space
The first thing you hear is the sound of water. Water symbolizing purification. Prayer. Peace. That’s what visito... READ MORE »
‘Just find the truth’
For 25 years, Marty Gallagher tracked down kidnappers, investigated government fraud and foreign counterintelligenc... READ MORE »
Survivor helps inaugurate LA’s ‘Garden of Healing’
Joe Montanez walked up to the first designated “Garden of Healing” in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, just outs... READ MORE »
Advocates are on healing quest for abuse survivors
As a victim assistance coordinator for the Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Donna Eurich said believes one of the best r... READ MORE »
Lay ministry helps abuse survivors
Sara Larson is executive director of a Milwaukee-based Catholic nonprofit called Awake Milwaukee, whose mission “... READ MORE »
Protecting children, renewed commitment
Last week I was in Baltimore to take part in the annual spring assembly of the United States Conference of Catholic... READ MORE »
Confession is sacred
Saint Mateo Correa Magallanes was a priest and a Knight of Columbus. During the persecution of the Church in Mexic... READ MORE »
Continual reform
There is growing awareness that we are living in a time of reform and renewal in the Catholic Church. Yet there is ... READ MORE »
Tragedy leads to new mental health ministry
The first thing Leslie Lenko did was show a visitor the cover photo of her 20-year-old son on the memorial Mass han... READ MORE »
Message from Archbishop Gomez on list of accused priests
2018 Update to “The Report to the People of God” Most Reverend José H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles Decemb... READ MORE »
Victim assistance coordinators comfort in a behind-the-scenes ministry
Their work begins with a phone call. Whether the call is from someone who is angry, embarrassed, unsure of what to ... READ MORE »
Abuse crisis a reminder of tough lessons learned in LA
“You are no longer alone.” That line was written August 27 by the president of the United States Conference of ... READ MORE »
Archbishop Gomez: After a Summer of Sorrow
This past weekend I celebrated our annual Mass in honor of Our Lady Queen of the Angels, patron saint of this grea... READ MORE »