How To Write A Letter To A Bishop Or Cardinal?

[NotreDame]

Anyone have experience writing a bishop (for a diocese) or cardinal (for an archdiocese) to notify them of some violations/abuse? 

 

Do I simply address it to the bishop/cardinal or should I address it to their secretary?  

 

Any tips to get it by the gate-keepers? 

[AnneLine]

You may have a reason for wanting to go directly through the Bishop/Cardinal, NotreDame, but many (and I think ALL) Dioceses have a mandated 'reporter' you can report to.   You would find the info on the website for the diocese.

 

Again, you may have reason to want to bypass that person.

 

I am holding you and the reason for this in my prayers.

[AnneLine]

FYI This is what is on my diocese' website under the 'Protecting Children' link.

 

I don't know if there is a different procedure if it is an adult, although depending on your state, there are other potential classes of 'protected' persons.

 

I've removed info that indicates my diocese....

 

(I believe that the reason for contacting the civil reporter is to eliminate/minimize chance for cover-ups...)

 

How to Report Suspected Abuse

 

 

HOW TO REPORT SUSPECTED ABUSE

Anyone who has reason to believe, or might suspect, that a child has been abused,

or is being abused, should report their suspicions first to civil authorities and then

to the diocese via it’s assigned Victim Assistance Coordinator, 

NAME  Phone (PHONE NUMBER) or email EMAIL ADDRESS

 

Every allegation will be treated seriously and immediate steps taken to protect the

alleged victim(s). These actions will be taken discretely so as to protect the

confidentiality and the rights of both the victim and the alleged abuser.

 

Investigation following the report should be left to duly appointed professionals.

State law requires people in certain positions to make such reports. These people

are referred to as “Mandatory Reporters”. All other adults, called “Ethical Reporters”

should also report suspected abuse.

 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR REPORTING

Cases of alleged abuse in which the abuser and the victim are of the same household

are to be reported to Child Protective Services (CPS), while cases in which the alleged

victim and the accused do not share a household should be reported to law

enforcement authorities (sheriff’s department or local police).

 

 

[NotreDame]

Thanks AL!  Actually, I think I'm going to contact the the Child Protection group, but I also want to copy the guy in charge.   I've been blown off before, so I'm trying to escalate things a bit.

 

Sorry if I'm being vague.  At some point I'll lend more detail, but if you've followed any of my posts on VS you can probably get an idea of what the issue is.