MIAMI (FL)
Archdiocese of Miami [Miami FL]
February 17, 2022
Today’s sentencing of Fr. Jean Claude Jean-Philippe, CM, a member of the Vincentian religious order, hopefully will bring closure to his victim, and we pray that she and her family, hurt by this betrayal of trust, can begin to heal. The Archdiocese of Miami deeply regrets the harm perpetrated by this priest which extends not only to the survivor of this assault and her family but to the parishioners, to priests of integrity, and to the entire community of faith.
It is over twenty years since the leaders of the United States Catholic Church established a charter to protect children and those who are vulnerable. One hundred ninety-five dioceses in the country now have very clear and mandatory policies along with educational tools to maintain the safety of children and vulnerable adults.
Along with proactive directives, the Archdiocese of Miami’s policy dictates immediately reporting allegations of abuse by clergy or church personnel to law enforcement, as we did in this case. Over these years many survivors have had the courage to come forward and begin their healing process with pastoral and professional assistance from the ADOM.
Per the ADOM policy, every member of the clergy, teachers, employees, and volunteers received a Level 2 background check and training in how to recognize a predator or attempts at grooming.
The Archdiocese of Miami Safe Environment policy, “Creating and Maintaining a Safe Environment for Children and Vulnerable Adults”, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ policy “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young Adults” are on the ADOM website, http://www.miamiarch.org.
The Archdiocese of Miami
Media contact: Maria A. Rivas, Media Coordinator, at (305)762-1046 or via e-mail to mrivas@theadom.org, or Mary Ross Agosta, Director of Communications, at (305)762-1043 mragosta@theadom.org.
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