PALM BEACH (FL)
WPBF - ABC 25 [Palm Beach Gardens FL]
July 25, 2026
By Terri Parker
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — The Diocese of Palm Beach has announced new reporting requirements and training initiatives aimed at preventing sexual abuse and protecting children and vulnerable adults.
Church leaders from across the diocese gathered to learn about the updated procedures, which focus on recognizing abuse, strengthening reporting protocols, and ensuring clergy, employees, and volunteers understand their responsibility to report suspected abuse. Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez highlighted the church’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
“No more cover up, no more negligence, no more, have ways of, of of of implementing the laws. But, observing the norm of law, making sure that the norm of law is respected and followed and, keeping at heart, the suffering of people. Because, in the end of the day, at the end of the day, when we are talking about when we talk about victims of sexual abuse, it’s about actual people that are suffering,” Rodríguez said.
The new procedures require anyone who hears of an allegation to immediately inform the Department of Children and Families and call the diocese’s new reporting line.
Additionally, a hotline has been established to report concerns if the bishop is not responding appropriately.
Rodríguez also said the Catholic Church in the United States has made significant strides in transparency and accountability, becoming a model for the rest of the world.
By Terri Parker, Investigative Reporter