Diocesan Safety Policies
About Our Policies
As early as 1988, the Diocese of Kansas City ~ St. Joseph had adopted a written
policy for responding to allegations of clergy 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 nearly a decade, these bodies 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.
Local policies require:
- Protecting children in all church and school settings
- Prompt removal from ministry of the credibly accused, pending a fuller
investigation - Counseling and pastoral support for persons making a complaint
- Advising people making complaints 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 Diocesan Response Team meets with persons alleging abuse, confronts the
accused, investigates circumstances, and prepares a report for the Independent
Review Board. At least one member of the Diocesan Response Team is
professionally mandated to report child sexual abuse. At times, the diocese has
utilized the expertise of Clarence M. Kelley & Associates to investigate
allegations.
The Independent Review Board ensures community involvement and makes a
recommendation to the bishop.
The intent of this process is to ensure church accountability. In no way does it
interfere with prosecution of criminal or civil complaints, including immediate
reporting to the Missouri Division of Family Services.
Current Members of the Diocesan Response Team
Leslie Guillot, Victims' Advocate
Margaret Lima
Paul Roder
Reverend Msgr. Robert Murphy, Vicar General
Current Members of the Independent Review Board
James Caccamo
Reverend Robert Stewart
Jean Tadokoro
Leslie Guillot, Victims' Advocate
Reverend Msgr. Robert Murphy, Vicar General
What is the Victims' Advocate?
The role of the Victims' Advocate is to minister to people making a complaint,
their family and other persons affected. This may include making professional and other resources available to aid in the care of a victim. Currently, Leslie Guillot serves in this capacity.
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 receive continuing education on a regular basis through
on-line communications. Participation in the continuing education component is
monitored by supervisors.
By the end of 2007, the diocese had reached more than 10,900 people through 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 routine criminal record background screenings for all
seminarians, deacon candidates, and parish and school employees and volunteers in programs for children and youth. These screenings are cross-referenced with child abuse and neglect records with the Missouri Division of Family Services.
In 2006, the Diocese implemented developmentally appropriate safety education programs for children and youth in parish programs and Catholic Schools to further protect children.
Safe Environment Timeline (pdf)