Reports are up to the diocesan ombudsman and she couldn’t be happier.

Jenifer Valenti said it plainly. As diocesan ombudsman charged with investigating allegations of child sexual abuse committed by clergy and church employees and volunteers, she is not the person to call instead of calling police.

On Saturday, January 6, I traveled to St. Charles Borromeo Parish to participate in the first of what I anticipate will be a dozen or more sessions introducing the Diocesan Team for the important work of Protecting God’s Children.

The Department of Child and Youth Protection of the Diocese of Kansas City ~ St. Joseph has announced information sessions at six locations in Clay County. The forums are one element of an agreement between Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Daniel Lee White and Bishop Robert Finn.

All four officials of a newly created diocesan office charged with the protection of children from sexual abuse are women.