Every April, child and youth serving organizations, including Catholic dioceses, parishes, and schools, participate in  National Child Abuse Prevention Month to highlight the importance of protecting minors from abuse. These efforts are part of the ongoing work of the Church in the United States to carry out the  Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The commitment by the Catholic Church to protect our children witnesses to the highest priority we place on the care and protection for the most vulnerable in our society. We encourage you to explore these excellent resources from the Diocese of FWSB. 

It remains important for our Church to protect children and young persons from the evils of abuse. The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend remains committed to upholding and following its guidelines, policies and procedures that were implemented for the protection of children and young people. These can be reviewed on the diocese's website, www.diocesefwsb.org, under "Youth Protection."
 

You must report

If you have reason to believe that a minor may be a victim of child abuse or neglect, Indiana law requires that you report this to civil authorities.

If you or someone you know was abused as a child or young person by an adult, you are encouraged to notify appropriate civil authorities of that abuse. In addition, if the alleged abuser is or was a priest or deacon of the Catholic Church, you are encouraged to contact Mary Glowaski, victim assistance coordinator, at (260) 399-1458 or [email protected]: or Rev. Mark Gurtner, vicar general of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, at P.O. Box 390, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46801; at (260) 399-1419; or at [email protected].

The diocese is committed to helping prevent the abuse or neglect of children and young people and to assist those who have suffered harm as a result of such abuse. 

Helpful resources