For Immediate Release: January 6, 2020

The Catholic Diocese of Richmond has received confirmation from an independent auditor that it remains in compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The diocese has remained in compliance since the initial audit in 2004.

The Most Rev. Barry C. Knestout, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, received the notice of compliance in a letter dated Dec. 20, 2019, from Stonebridge Business Partners, Rochester, N.Y., which conducts the yearly audits for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Office of Child and Youth Protection.

The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People is a comprehensive set of policies and procedures established by the USCCB in 2002 for addressing sexual abuse of minors within the context of the Catholic Church. The Charter also includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing and accountability and establishes training and background screening programs.

Each year the Office of Safe Environment submits data related to its work between July 1 and June 30. The diocese participates in an on-site audit every third year.

Since October 2004, the Diocese has held 3,544 child protection training sessions, known as VIRTUS: Protecting God’s Children for Adults. In the 2018-2019 audit year, there were 318 training sessions. Approximately 60,201 individuals have participated and 175 facilitators have been trained to lead a VIRTUS training session since its introduction in 2004.

In April 2020, additional details and other Safe Environment data will be published in the Office of Safe Environment Annual Report.

More information on the Diocese of Richmond’s Office of Safe Environment is available online.

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