CHILD PROTECTION

IGREJA DE NOSSA SENHORA DE FÁTIMA

Our Lady of Fatima Church

ARQUIDIOCESE DE NEWARK

Archdiocese of Newark

Welcome to Our Lady of Fatima Parish Child Protection Site

"I ask this support so as to help me ensure that we develop better policies and procedures in the universal Church for the protection of minors and for the training of church personnel in implementing those policies and procedures. We need to do everything in our power to ensure that these sins have no place in the Church."

-Pope Francis
Homily during Mass on July 7, 2014
Sancta Martha Chapel
Attended by six victims of sexual abuse
by members of the clergy

On September 14, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin led the people of the local Church of Newark in an evening service of Prayer, Recognition and Hope in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Under the theme “Behold the Wood of the Cross,” the Cardinal, joined by hundreds of clergy, Religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese gathered in prayer for the survivors of clergy abuse, for their families, for the accused, and for the Church.

A video of this service is now available by clicking here or on the picture.

Child abuse is contrary to the teachings of the Church and the values of love and concern that Jesus Christ calls us to have for one another. Abuse directly opposes what the Gospels teach about respect for human dignity and is never to be tolerated.

Our Lady of Fatima Parish is committed to responding promptly to allegations of abuse, reaching out to victims and families for healing and reconciliation, cooperating fully with the appropriate civil authorities, educating the parish community, and ensuring the accountability of guidelines and procedures dealing with allegations of abuse.

To report a concern about sexual abuse of a child or young person by anyone associated with the Parish or in an assignment in a parish (clergy, volunteer, or employee) please contact the Delegate for Child Protection at 973-589-1639, ask for Mrs. Laura Martins, Delegate for Child Protection.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT

Report Abuse

The Archdiocese of Newark takes very seriously any and all complaints of sexual misconduct by members of the clergy, Religious and lay staff of the Archdiocese. We encourage anyone with knowledge of an act of sexual misconduct to inform the Archdiocese immediately so that we may take appropriate action to protect others and provide support to victims of sexual abuse.

Although we will report all allegations of abuse immediately to the appropriate County Prosecutor, we encourage anyone with an allegation of abuse also to reach out to the prosecutor.

Individuals who report an allegation of sexual misconduct may do so by calling the Victim's Assistance Coordinator of the Archdiocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection at (201) 407-3256.

CONTACTS FOR THE COUNTY PROSECUTORS

The phone numbers for the County Prosecutors within the Archdiocese are:

Bergen - (201) 226-5689
Essex - (973) 753-1121
Hudson - (201) 795-6400
Union - (908) 965-3879

For more information on the Archdiocese's Policies dealing with sexual misconduct by clergy, Religious and lay staff and volunteers, and for information on sexual abuse awareness training for both adults and children/youth, click here.

We Want to Help

To those who have been abused, we are truly sorry for the pain you and your loved ones have suffered.

We are committed to listening to you, addressing your needs and concerns, and doing all we can to prevent any more harm.

Taking that first, courageous step to report abuse is not easy. For many people, the strength to do so comes after years of anguish, anger and a deep sense of betrayal.

We have partnered with Canvas Health, a trusted local care provider, to offer you a safe and compassionate place to come forward.

Independent professionals are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to take your call at 201-407-3256.

Victim / Survivor

Assistant

PROMISE TO

PROTECT

PLEDGE TO

HEAL

A safe place to

come forward 201-407-3256

What to expect when you call

When you call, a compassionate and professional intake representative from Canvas Health will be there to help.

The representative will ask for some basic information, including the circumstances of the abuse, the identity of the abuser, and your contact information.

The representative is a mandated reporter and will report child abuse to law enforcement as required by law, but won’t share your name with the archdiocese if you do not want your name to be shared.

You will be assisted in obtaining services such as professional counseling and pastoral care.

If you want to meet with an archdiocesan official as a part of your healing process or have another request of the Church, the archdiocese will be contacted and will take action.

Ministry-related Sexual Misconduct

Sexual abuse is sexual contact between individuals when one does not or cannot consent, or the sexual contact involves a minor or vulnerable adult.

Sexual exploitation occurs when there is sexual contact between a Church minister and a person receiving pastoral care from that minister.

Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual conduct or language in the Church work setting.

When a clergy member, religious brother or sister, or lay employee or volunteer of a parish or Catholic school engages in misconduct, they violate a sacred trust and they are to blame for the resulting pain and suffering.

You are not at fault for what you were forced to endure. The abuser is at fault.

Our Mission

To offer a safe place for you to come forward and share your story

To listen and acknowledge what you

have experienced

To promote healing and reconciliation

and accompany you on this journey

To assist you in accessing services that address your emotional, psychological

and spiritual well-being, such as

counseling and spiritual direction

To reach out with compassion,

acceptance, privacy and respect