Diocesan Safety Policies
About Our Policies
As early as 1988, the Diocese of Kansas City ~ St. Joseph had adopted a
policy for responding to allegations of sexual abuse. This policy required full
compliance with the laws of the State of Missouri for the reporting of child sexual
abuse and provided for lay involvement in responding to complaints. By 1993,
diocesan policies reflected growing lay involvement with the creation of an Independent Review Board.
In place for more than 20 years, these policies anticipated the requirements of the
national plan endorsed by the U.S. Bishops in June 2002.
Read the full text of the Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Policy.
Please Note: The Sexual Misconduct Policy currently is under review and will be revised to reflect current practices in the diocese.
Our Policies Require
- Protecting children in all church and school settings
- Removing from ministry the credibly accused
- Offering counseling to anyone affected by abuse
- Advising people making reports that they are free to go to police, civil
authorities or the media - Ensuring that lay persons respond to and give advice for the disposition of
complaints
How does the process work in our diocese?
The Ombudsman meets with persons making a report, confronts the
accused, investigates circumstances, and prepares a report for the Independent
Review Board. The Ombudsman serves in an ex officio capacity on the Diocesan Response Team.
The Independent Review Board ensures community involvement and makes a
recommendation to the bishop.
The intent of this process is to provide an open, transparent and accountable response from the church. In no way will it interfere with prosecution of criminal or civil complaints, including immediate reporting to the Missouri Division of Family Services.
Members of the Independent Review Board
James Caccamo
Daniel J. Haus
John A Larsen, Ph.D.
Richard Smith
Reverend Robert Stewart
Jean Tadokoro
Leslie Guillot, Victims' Advocate
Reverend Joseph Powers, Vicar for Clergy, ex officio
Jenifer Valenti, Ombudsman, ex officio
What is the Victims' Advocate?
The role of the Victims' Advocate is to minister to the person making the report,
his or her family and other persons affected. This may include making professional and other resources available to aid in the care of a victim.
Leslie Guillot is the Victims' Advocate and can be reached at (816) 361-2666.
What is the diocese doing to create safe environments for children? 
In September 2002, the diocese began community education to teach the warning signs of abuse and to offer strategies for intervention. These workshops were open to the public and interested persons were encouraged to attend.
All priests, deacons, principals, teachers, coaches, youth ministers and volunteers
who interact with children are required to attend a Protecting God's Children
workshop. Staff members and directors of youth programs in parishes receive continuing education on a regular basis through on-line communications. Participation in the continuing education component is monitored by supervisors.
By October 2011, the diocese had trained more than 21,000 people through the Protecting God's Children workshops. A national audit of diocesan policies and procedures commended the Diocese of Kansas City ~ St. Joseph for reaching out to the community and encouraging participation in this adult learning program.
The diocese also requires multi-jurisdictional criminal and child abuse record background screenings for all clergy, seminarians, deacon candidates, and parish and school employees and volunteers in programs for children and youth.
In 2006, the Diocese implemented developmentally appropriate safety education programs for children and youth in parish programs and Catholic Schools to further protect children.