The Offices of Child Protection and Victim Assistance for the Catholic Diocese of Arlington provides programs to ensure a safe environment for children within the community of the Church.
Children are the most precious resource of the family and the Church. The greatest care must always be taken when the safety of children is involved. The Diocese of Arlington is committed to providing a safe environment to all children entrusted to our care and assisting each child to grow in grace and wisdom.
Review Board
Dioceses are required to have a Review Board (Board) that functions as a confidential consultative body to the local ordinary (Bishop). The members are appointed by the Bishop and the majority are to be lay persons not employed by the diocese. This Board is to advise the diocesan bishop in his assessment of allegations of sexual abuse of minors and his determination of a cleric’s suitability for ministry. It is regularly to review diocesan policies and procedures for dealing with sexual abuse of minors. Additionally, the Board can review these matters both retrospectively and prospectively and advise on all aspects of responses in connection with these cases.
The Bishop has provided Bylaws that govern the Diocese of Arlington’s Review Board’s composition and how it functions that may be reviewed:
Review Board Members
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- Dr. Lianna Bennett, Psy.D.
- Reverend Robert C. Cilinski, Episcopal Vicar for Charitable Works at the Chancery, Pastor, Church of the Nativity, Burke
- Ms. Charlotte Grzebien, Attorney
- Major Shana A. Hrubes, Assistant Chief, Prince William County Police – Criminal Investigation Division
- Mr. Ronald S. Riggins, RP Financial; President/Managing Director
- Rev. Lee R. Roos, Promoter of Justice; Pastor, All Saints Parish, Manassas
- Sr. Margaret Timothy Sato, FSP, Local Superior for the Daughters of St. Paul
- Ms. Regina B. Schofield, Chairperson-Elect, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC); Director of Corporate Engagement and Education Outreach, Battle
- Mr. Gordon Todd, Partner, Sidley Austin LLP
- Ms. Monica Woropaj, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Words of Hope Counseling Center
History
The offices of Child Protection and Victims Assistance have been working to protect the vulnerable in our diocese since its founding.
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1974 - Diocese of Arlington is established
1974 - 2002 - Calls regarding victim/survivors directed to Arlington Diocese officials for response
2002 - Bishops of Catholic Church meets in Dallas & approve Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in the Diocese of Arlington, we decided that our priorities should be prayer, spiritual guidance, emotional healing, and support for those who have been abused and their families. The Charter calls for a commitment to creating a safe environment for children and youth within the Catholic Church. The Charter requires each diocese to reach out to victim/survivors of sexual abuse by clergy and their families to provide a program for their healing. As a Church, we must apologize for the pain and harm caused by the Church and offer help for the future.
2002 - Bishop Emeritus Loverde and Fr. Mark Mealey, O.S.F.S., former Vicar General, establish the Victim Assistance office with a focus on emotional healing & support for those who have been abused and their families.
2004 - June 30th First Mass of Healing for Victim Survivors of Sexual Abuse is held at St. Thomas More Cathedral.
Bishop Emeritus Loverde said "We so desire that you will experience healing and a new beginning,". "We carry you in our prayers to the Lord and ask Him to heal you as He alone can.”
2005 - Prayer Services are added to the program as a way to invite those who struggle to participate in the Mass.
2006 - Support Groups Evenings begin to meet three times a year
2010 - At the request of the victim/survivors an annual retreat is added to the offerings through the Office
2017 - Patricia Mudd retires as Director of the Victim Assistance Office
2019 - Educational meetings focused on themes of recovery from trauma and abuse are offered to supplement the support group meetings
2020 - Virtual support group meetings are initiated to meet the needs of those who cannot attend in person events
2022 - In collaboration with Catholic Charities, group therapy meeting are initiated to provide focused opportunities in a smaller group setting
Additional Links
Contact Information
Deacon Marques Silva
Director, Office for Child Protection
703-841-3847
Frank Moncher, Phd
Director, Office for Victim Assistance
703-841-2530
