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.

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

Valenti sat down with the Key this week to discuss what led her to take the position and to describe her first four months of experiences as ombudsman:

Kansas City – St. Joseph Bishop Robert W. Finn released an independent investigator’s report on the diocese’ policies, procedures and actions with regard to the sexual abuse of minors on September 1.

This is a very important telephone number: (816) 812-2500.