Our Commitment
The Redemptorists of the Denver Province are commited to creating and maintaining a safe environment for all of those we serve in ministry, especially children and vulnerable adults. We have instituted clear standards of conduct for all members, as well as procedures for investigating and reporting allegations of abuse or misconduct to the appropriate civil authorities.
If you believe that you, or someone you know, has been abused by a Member of the Redemptorists Denver Province (“Member”), we urge you to contact the appropriate law enforcement or child-protection agency where the incident took place, regardless of when the alleged abuse occurred. Anyone who has been abused by a Member of the Denver Province is encouraged to contact our Victims Assistance Coordinator, Kristine Stremel, at 303.482.5661 or kstremel@redemptorists-denver.org. Your case will be addressed with the strictest sensitivity and confidentiality.
Our Focus on Prevention
Great care is taken in the screening and assessment of applicants to the Denver Province. Before a candidate is accepted into the formation program, he is subject to in-depth evaluation, including psychosexual and social media screening, as well as an extensive criminal background check. Comprehensive policies and procedures designed to ensure the protection of children and vulnerable adults have been instituted, and substantial resources have been invested in effective ongoing training programs. The formation program fosters healthy development in the spiritual life of the Redemptorist, as well as his psychosexual health and well-being. At every stage of formation and ministry, Redemptorists of the Denver Province continue to participate in mandatory safe environment training to promote ethical conduct in ministry and awareness and sensitivity to professional boundaries.
The safe environment policy and the procedures implemented by the Denver Province are fully accredited by Praesidium, Inc, a national organization that works with religious and other institutions to establish and maintain rigorous standards for protecting children and vulnerable adults. Praesidium provides consultation and risk management assessment, policy development, and training materials for use in preventing sexual abuse and responding to allegations of sexual abuse. Periodic accreditation audits by independent Praesidium auditors provide full transparency of our efforts to protect children and vulnerable adults and demonstrate our commitment to maintaining safe environments at every ministry site.
Our Compassionate Response to Survivors of Abuse
We recognize that abuse of any kind creates lasting pain for the abused and their families, as well as the entire Catholic Church. We are commited to offering compassion, prayers, and support for all survivors of abuse.
How Allegations of Abuse Are Handled
When an allegation of abuse involving a minor is made against a Member, the Denver Province:
- Suspends the accused from ministry, pending the outcome of the investigation;
- Offers pastoral care and therapy to the alleged victim;
- Cooperates fully with law enforcement authorities throughout their investigation.
Law enforcement officials may not choose to investigate claims of sexual abuse that occurred in the past. The Denver Province, however, initiates an internal investigation by an independent third-party professional investigator.
Results of the internal investigation are presented to the Denver Province Review Board, which is comprised of a canon lawyer and a religious, as well as professionals from the Social Sciences (psychologists, counselors, victim’s advocates and/or social workers) and representatives from state protective services.
The Review Board discusses the results of the investigation to help determine the credibility of the claim and provides a recommendation to the Provincial Superior of the Denver Province.
No Member who has a credible allegation of sexually abusing a minor or vulnerable adult is allowed to remain in public ministry. A Redemptorist who has engaged in the sexual abuse of a minor will be subject to the restrictions of a Safety Plan. This prevention program provides appropriate psychological treatment designed by professionals specifically for offenders and includes ongoing monitoring and supervision of the Member for the rest of his life in the Redemptorist community.