Archbishop’s Statement
Working Together To Prevent Child Sexual Abuse: Keeping Ministerial Relationships Healthy & Holy
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Since the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops established the Charter for the Protection and Young People, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has embraced its responsibilities to insure the safety of our children and young people and to provide a compassionate to victims of abuse in need of of justice and healing.
Pope Francis call us as the People of God to continue our efforts “…to take all the necessary measures to protect in every way the lives of our children.” An important way to we answer this call is by annually providing the Working Together to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse brochure as a quick reference guide to introduce you to the Archdiocese’s child sexual abuse prevention policies, programs and resources that are the foundation of our ongoing efforts and commitment to protect our children and young people.
Over the past fifteen years, the Office of Safeguard the Children has trained 329,000 adults and over 1.4 million children through VIRTUS Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Awareness Programs and the Fingerprinting Office has background checked 168,000 adults who work or volunteer with or around children.
Let us continue to pray for those who have hurt by the misconduct of members of the Church. I am grateful for the ongoing outreach, support and healing provided to them through our Office of Victims Assistance Ministry.
I entrust all of our children and families to the tender care and protection of our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of the Angels.
Most Reverend José H. Gomez
Archbishop of Los Angeles