Office for the Protection of Children & Young People
The Diocese of Jackson is committed to ensuring that children served by the church are not at risk of sexual abuse by the Church personnel. Diocesan policies and procedures currently in place seek to protect, enhance and, in some cases, restore the trust that our faith calls for between agents of the Church and the children and adolescents entrusted to our care. In accordance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People passed by the U.S. bishops in Dallas, the Diocese of Jackson wishes to encourage any victim of sexual abuse by a member of the Catholic Clergy to come forward and begin the healing process. We encourage any victim to contact Ms. Erika Rojas, Victims Assistance Coordinator at 601-326-3760
Español: Siguiendo los Estadutos para la Protección de los Niños y Jóvenes, aprobada por los obispos en Dallas, la Diócesis de Jackson desea motivar a cualquiera víctima de abuso sexual por parte de un miembro del clero Católico a que se lo comuniquen para que comenze el proceso de sanación.Cuando una alegación es considerada credible, se ofrecerá asesoramiento, para que el proceso de recuperación pueda comenzar de acuerdo con nuestra política diocesana actual. Motivamos a las víctimas a contactar a la Sra. Erika Rojas, Coordinadora Asistente de Víctimas al 601-326-3760.
2020 PROTECTION OF CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE POLICY
2020 PROTECCIÓN de NIÑOS y JÓVENES POLÍTICA
The Catholic Diocese of Jackson has published the names of clergy and ministers credibly accused of abuse HERE.
USCCBs Child Abuse Prevention Message
CREATING SAFE ENVIRONMENTS in the CATHOLIC DIOCESE of JACKSON
The Diocese of Jackson uses VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children, as the initial safe environment training to train clergy, religious, lay employees and volunteers about safe environments.
ALL NEW EMPLOYEE & VOLUNTEER APPLICANTS access the VIRTUS REGISTRATION LINK HERE (Instructions follow)
VIRTUS Online REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
As a part of the ongoing efforts for the Diocese of Jackson Protection of Children Program, all volunteers and employees will have access to monthly VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children training bulletins. The online bulletin format will require ongoing safe environment training for all clergy, religious, employees and volunteers who have significant contact with children and young people. Users will receive monthly email reminders from VIRTUS Online when a bulletin is available, which is within the first full week of each month.
Once a user logs in to https://www.virtus.org, sign-in with your username and password. You will have access to read the training bulletin within the training tab. You will be required to answer a multiple-choice question after you have read the bulletin. When you answer the question, submit the answer to update the Diocese of Jackson Protection of Children Database.
The training bulletins are also accessible in Spanish by clicking on “ESPANOL: ACESSO O INSCRIPCION” at https://www.virtus.org and logging in with your user ID and unique password.
We hope you find the training bulletins informative. And, thank you for your continued participation in the Diocese of Jackson Protection of Children Program.
Contacts
Vickie Carollo
Policies and Documents
- Protection of Children & Young People Policy Appendices
- Appendix – Disqualify & Appeal
- Appendix – Electronic Communications Best Practices
- Appendix – Procedures for Addressing Allegations
- Appendix – Youth Travel Guidelines
- Apéndice – Delitos de descalificación y proceso de apelación
- Apéndice – Mejores prácticas de comunicaciones electrónicas
- Apéndice – Prodedimeintos para tratar alegaciones
- Apéndice – Directrices con respecto a los viajes par jovenes y estudiantes
- Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People-2018
- Diocese of Jackson Policy regarding sexual misconduct by clergy or religious
- Child Abuse Reporting Policy
Reporting forms:
- Diocese of Jackson Parent Opt-Out Report
- Reporting Suspected Child Abuse (MS Dept of Child Protection Services form)
- Reporting Suspected Child Abuse (MDCPS contact information)
VIRTUS Teaching safety – Empowering God’s Children:
Diocesan Statements and Documentation
Diocese of Jackson Audit of Compliance In accordance with the USCCB Charter for the protection of children, the Diocese of Jackson submits to an audit of child protection policies, procedures and actions annually.
- 2020 Audit
- 2019 Audit
- 2018 Audit
- 2017 Audit
- 2016 Audit
- 2015 Audit
- 2014 Audit
- 2013 Audit
- 2012 Audit
- 2011 Audit
- 2010 Audit
- 2009 Audit
- 2008 Audit
- 2007 Audit
- 2005 Audit
- 2004 Audit
- 2003 Audit
Archived Diocesan Statements & Documents
- Statement regarding Rev. Edward Balser July 24, 2019
- Statement – A Reason for Hope September 7, 2018
- Statement regarding removal of Deacon Rick Caldwell from ministry 2018
- Statement regarding allegations against former Bro. Paul West 2018
- Statement regarding allegations against Rev. Timothy Crowley 2018
- 2013 Letter from Bishop Joseph Latino, Promulgation of Called to Protect
- 2011 Letter from Bishop Joseph Latino, Promulgation of Protection of Children
- Statement regarding John Jay College Study
- Statement Concerning Rev. Robert Olivier January 4, 2007
- Phillips’ Statement November 7, 2006
- Phillips’ Statement June 6, 2006
- Statement of Bishop Joseph Latino Regarding the Settlement with Victims of Sexual Abuse by Priests, March 16, 2006
- Joint Settlement Announcement March 16, 2006
- Statement Concerning William Wiebler, January 17, 2006
- Statement Concerning Mr. William Heller & SNAP mailing, August 26, 2005
- Statement Concerning James Trichell, August 25, 2005
- Discovery Issues Statement, August 12, 2005
- Supreme Court Decision in Morrison Case, May 5, 2005
- Statement Regarding Supreme Court Case – December 13, 2004
- 2004 Letter from Bishop Joseph Latino on Policy Update
- Statement concerning Angie Phillips
- Statement regarding Reverend James Stein
- Statement regarding SNAP’s July 28 Press Conference
- Brief of Appellants – Morrison
- Final Judgment Dismissing Plaintiff’s Claims with Prejudice Angie Phillips vs Roman Catholic Diocese of Jackson,
- July 8, 2004 Statement Concerning Court Rulings of Judges DeLaughter and Yerger
- Statement Concerning Bill Heller’s Deposition Testimony Given On May 18, 2004
- John Does 10 and 11 v. The Catholic Diocese of Jackson Et Al.- Statement Concerning the Ruling of the Court on May 17, 2004 Relating to the Scheduled Deposition of Bill Heller, Principal
- Issuance of Final Judgment in the Mark Belenchia and John Doe 1 Lawsuit
- Statement Concerning Misleading SNAP Claims 4.2.04
- Statement on the Resignation of Bernard Cardinal Law 12.13.02
- Statement on Fr. Arnulfo Arandia 6.10.02
- Statement on George Broussard 6.10.02
- Statement on Morrison Lawsuit Filed 6.12.2002
- Opinion on Belenchia John Doe Complaint filed 7.17.2002
- Belenchia and Morrison lawsuits 3.12.03
- Statement Regarding SNAP’s Paid Clarion Ledger Advertisement Published 5.25.03
- Statement Regarding Judge Delaughter Judgement 10.1.03
Additional Resources
Downloadable Documents
Child Protection Office Infographic
Child Protection prayer-card-english
Child Protection prayer-card-Spanish
Links and Data
- Pontifical Commission for the protection of Children
- USCCB office of Child Protection
- John Jay College Study: On May 18, 2011, a research team from John Jay College released a thorough study of causes and context of sexual abuse by priests during the years of 1950-2010. The report explains how physical settings and personal psychology played a role within culture and organizational environments allowing abuse to occur within the Catholic Church. The Diocese of Jackson released a statement related to the study the same day it was published.
- Accredited Schools Online Bullying Awareness Guidebook.
- Hell, Hope and Healing 4-part report from National Catholic Reporter
- Technology Safety Through the Eyes of Faith. A resource guide brought to you by a collaboration between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Includes tools, discussion points and ideas for parents, kids and educators regarding online safety.
- CommonSense Media Reviews, age ratings and other information regarding all types of media.
- Stop bullying Bullying resource sponsored by the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services.
- Bullying Awareness and Prevention Guide
- Boundless Bullies
- UNDERSTANDING CYBERBULLYING IN COLLEGE: tips, tools & solutions for recognizing and stopping bullying in social media and online
- Prevent Child Abuse Works to ensure health development of children nationwide.
- Netsmartz An interactive, educational program that provides age-appropriate resources to help children be safe on and off-line.
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Provides services and resources regarding child safety and prevention and offers technical assistance to child victims of abduction and sexual exploitation.
- Office of the Mississippi Attorney General Cybercrime tips for parents
- Mississippi Sex Offender Registry
- Suicide Awareness and Prevention