Diocese implements program to help fight child sex abuse

By Chris Donahue
Staff Writer

The first class of facilitators for the diocese’s Protecting God’s Children Program graduated Sept. 22 after the 24 participants completed 12 hours of training, said Joanne Ward, director of the diocese’s Office of Communications and Public Relations.

The program was implemented by the diocese’s Office of Child and Youth Protection.

Lawrence V. Nagle, who heads the office, said the program is designed to help educators and parents "learn to identify offenders as they are in their every day life, be it at a school, a playground, a sports facility, a shopping mall or in their neighborhoods."

"These things will help them be protectors of our children by learning the tools that are given in this training," he said.

Calling the Protecting God’s Children Program the cornerstone of the diocese’s efforts to create a safe environment for our children, Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski said: "I can think of few initiatives which have the potential of doing so much good for such a vulnerable portion of our faithful."

The program was created five years ago by the National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Inc., and VIRTUS Programs and Services, a firm that promotes best management practices within religious organizations.

The facilitators were trained by Sharon Doty, a child-sexual-abuse consultant who, for 29 years, worked with agencies advocating for victims of abuse and neglect, Ward said. The facilitators completed their training by watching Doty present a Protecting God’s Children session, which was open to everyone.

The facilitators will now contact the diocese’s 108 parishes to present the program to teachers, catechists, youth ministers, parents and anyone who has contact with children, Ward said.

Facilitators must commit to presenting at least one 4-hour program per month as well as engaging in continuous online training. The presentations will be held within the individual’s parish or within the general facility.

Nagle is a lifelong member of the diocese who, until recently, served as the lieutenant of county investigators and supervisor of the sex crimes, child abuse, domestic violence and Megan’s Law units of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Nagle said the diocese is seeking additional facilitators for parishes and schools. For information, call (732) 562-1990, extension 1205, or e-mail: lnagle@diomethuchen.org.