For Immediate Release: January 10, 2024

RICHMOND, Va. – The Catholic Diocese of Richmond has received confirmation from an independent auditor that it has successfully completed the 2022/2023 data collection for the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.” This confirmation marks the diocese’s continuous participation in the data collection process.

The Most Rev. Bishop Barry C. Knestout, bishop of Richmond, received notice of the participation in a letter dated Nov. 27, 2023, from Stonebridge Business Partners, the entity that conducts yearly audits. The organization audits all U.S. dioceses on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People.

The “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” is an extensive set of policies and procedures and is intended to address and prevent the sexual abuse of minors within the Catholic Church. The charter was established by the USCCB in 2002 and includes additional guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability, training, and background screening programs.

As part of the charter audit process, every year, the Office of Safe Environment submits data and documentation for annual review, with an on-site audit every third year. The diocese’s next on-site audit is in 2024.

Since 2018, the diocesan Office of Safe Environment has published an annual report: Office of Safe Environment Annual Report.

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

###