Protection of Children, Youth

and Vulnerable Adults

“Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” –Matthew 19:14
 

We follow a Savior whose love for children was so great that he called all of us to become like them, and warned that it would be better to drown than to cause harm to their souls. This is why for many years the Diocese of Pittsburgh has exceeded all child protection requirements of both civil law and the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (Charter). As Christian adults, we have a moral and legal responsibility and are entrusted by God with the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of children as they participate in activities within or sponsored by our Diocese. It is our responsibility and commitment to provide an environment which is safe and nurturing and to ensure that children in the care of the Church come to no harm of any kind.

The Secretariat for the Protection of Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adults is responsible for implementing and overseeing the full diocesan response to the Charter and compliance with the law. Through online and in-person educational training programs, presentations and resource materials, we are able to assist church personnel in responding to the mandates of the Charter and our diocesan safe environments policies. In addition, this office organizes the annual audits required by the Charter, oversees required background screenings and training of church personnel consistent with our diocesan safe environments policy and assists in the internal investigation process relating to child abuse allegations involving church personnel.

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USCCB Protection of Children and Young People Website