A Statement from Bishop Kevin W. Vann:
"On Victim Assistance Ministry & Safe Environment Training"

Introducción a la declaración del Obispo Kevin W. Vann:
"Acerca del Ministerio de Asistencia de Víctimas y el Entrenamiento de Ambiente Seguro"

June 9, 2011 - The offices of Victim Assistance Ministry and Safe Environment work closely together to respond to those who have been sexually abused and to ensure the safety of our parishes and diocesan programs through Safe Environment Training. The following is a statement from Bishop Kevin Vann on the relationship between Victim Assistance Ministry and Safe Environment Training in the Diocese of Fort Worth.

Statement from Bishop Kevin W. Vann

9 de junio de 2011 - Las oficinas del Ministerio de Asistencia de Víctimas y de Ambiente Seguro colaboran estrechamente para responder a los que han sido abusados sexualmente y para garantizar la seguridad de nuestros programas diocesanos y parroquiales mediante el Entrenamiento de Ambiente Seguro. A continuación se encuentra la declaración del Obispo Kevin W. Vann acerca de la relación entre el Ministerio de Asistencia de Víctimas y el Entrenamiento de Ambiente Seguro de la Diócesis de Fort Worth.

La declaración del Obispo Kevin W. Vann

Mission Statement

Outreach to victims of sexual abuse and their family members in the Diocese of Fort Worth is grounded in Jesus' words from Matthew 25: "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40, New American Bible) In response to Jesus' words, a variety of avenues are made available for victims and family members to report their experiences to the Office of Victim Assistance Ministry and to be welcomed, to receive pastoral care, and to access much-needed services. It is the belief of staff serving in the Office of Victim Assistance Ministry that individuals and communities are best served through respectful listening, attention to need, and a prompt response to requests for help and healing.

In keeping with the First Article of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, adopted by the bishops of the United States in 2002 and revised in 2005, the Diocese of Fort Worth, holds to these standards and guidelines:

• Dioceses/eparchies are to reach out to victims/survivors and their families and demonstrate a sincere commitment to their spiritual and emotional well-being. The first obligation of the Church with regard to the victims is for healing and reconciliation.
• Each diocese is to continue its outreach to every person who has been the victim of sexual abuse as a minor by anyone in church service, whether the abuse was recent or occurred many years in the past. This outreach may include provision of counseling, spiritual assistance, support groups, and other social services agreed upon by the victim and the diocese.
• Through pastoral outreach to victims and their families, the diocesan bishop or his representative is to offer to meet with them, to listen with patience and compassion to their experiences and concerns, and to share the "profound sense of solidarity and concern" expressed by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, in his Address to the Cardinals of the United States and Conference Officers (April 23, 2002).

Reporting Sexual Abuse: What Steps Should I Take?

The Church takes the matter of sexual abuse seriously and urges anyone who has been abused to talk to someone in order to heal. To report an instance of sexual abuse by Church personnel:

• Contact your local law enforcement agency
  (ask to file a report of abuse)
• Contact Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at (800) 252-5400
  (follow the directions to file a report with a case worker or file an online report)

If you or someone close to you has been the victim of sexual abuse by a priest, deacon, or anyone representing the Catholic Church, you are encouraged to:

• Contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator, Judy Locke at (817) 560-2452, ext. 201
  (this is a confidential, password-protected direct line to the Coordinator)
• Leave a message on the Sexual Abuse Hotline at (817) 560-2452, ext. 900
  (this is a message mailbox; your message will receive a prompt response)
• Call Very Reverend Stephen Berg, Vicar General/Moderator of the Curia, at (817) 560-3300 ext. 102
  (please ask for Father Berg at The Catholic Center)

You may also write to Victim Assistance Ministry at the Catholic Center:

Judy Locke
800 West Loop 820 South
Fort Worth, Texas 76108

Victim Assistance Ministry

Victim Assistance Ministry is the response of the Diocese of Fort Worth to allegations of clergy sexual abuse. This ministry involves communication with the Victim Assistance Coordinator and/or the Charter Response Coordinator in order to provide support so that victims of sexual abuse and their family members may continue the healing process. Coordination of services for victims and families are part of this outreach, as well as the opportunity to meet with Bishop Vann at any point during the healing process. The following brochure describes the diocese’s outreach and Safe Environment Program in more detail:

Recognize, Respond, Refer Brochure
Reconocer, Responder, Referir Folleto
Nhan Biet Phan Ung Chuyen Den

Bishop Kevin Vann's Statement Regarding Fr. Joseph Tu Nguyen

In English
En español
Bằng tiếng Việt

List of Priests with Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

The following is a list of those priests, who have served in the Diocese of Fort Worth since it was established, who had allegations with a semblance of truth made against them regarding sexual misconduct with minors. The list includes priests who were diocesan priests of the Diocese of Fort Worth and those who served within the territorial limits of the Diocese of Fort Worth when the incidents of abuse were alleged to have occurred. None of these priests are currently in active ministry.

List of Priests

List of Priests Who Have Been Laicized

The following is a list of priests who have been laicized after the Diocese established that creditable allegations of sexual abuse of a minor existed.

List of Laicized Priests

Note: If you are unable to open the PDF files you will need to download Adobe Reader.

Links

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: Office of Child and Youth Protection

Contact Information for the staff members of Victim Assistance Ministry

Judy Locke
Victim Assistance Coordinator
(817) 560-2452, Ext. 201
jlocke@fwdioc.org

Very Rev. Stephen Berg
Vicar General/Moderator of the Curia and Charter Response Coordinator
(817) 560-2452, Ext. 102
sberg@fwdioc.org