St. Edmund’s Retreat is committed to the protection of minors and vulnerable adults from abuse in all its forms. St. Edmund’s Retreat and the Society of St. Edmund have joined all members of the Catholic Church in the United States in protecting the vulnerable and promoting healing through implementing policies and practices set forth by the United States Catholic Bishops in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, by Standards for Accreditation of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, and by federal, state, and local laws, including regulations regarding mandated reporting. St. Edmund’s Retreat also follows the spirit and inspiration of Pope Francis as he has advanced child protection and survivor care in his 2019 motu proprio entitled Vos estes lux mundi (“we are the light of the world”).

Progress has been made on many fronts advancing the protection of minors and vulnerable adults in the care of the Catholic Church, yet more remains to be done. St. Edmund’s Retreat continues to work diligently to ensure that our protection and prevention efforts are continually strengthened and that a healing process is fostered for survivors of abuse by clergy and others with authority in the Church – and, indeed, for all survivors of abuse and violence.

Awareness and training in child protection measures for staff and volunteers at St. Edmund’s Retreat include, under the aegis of the Diocese of Norwich, background checks, new-hire orientation, and ongoing Praesidium training for all staff and volunteers. St. Edmund’s Retreat also promotes and encourages the education of children and young people in age-appropriate ways to identify inappropriate behaviors and to communicate discomfort or confusion which they may experience with one or more adult behaviors.

St. Edmund’s Retreat has deepened its commitment to serve those who suffer from abuse and trauma with its new pastoral minister, Teresa Pitt Green of Spirit Fire, which is a restorative justice initiative founded by survivors of clergy abuse. With Spirit Fire now in full-time residence, St. Edmund’s Retreat is expanding its support for advancing awareness of child protection and of spiritual care for survivors of abuse and trauma both within the Church and beyond. Special options exist for loved ones who have suffered with victims by one degree of separation. Spiritual care is also available in person and long distance, individually or in support groups, for clergy and religious who have been abused or who otherwise suffer post-traumatic stress.

If your parish or group would like to attend a program promoting child safety, or if you or someone for whom you care could benefit from one or more options in our Ministry and Programs, please call our main number 860.536.0565 and ask to speak to Teresa Pitt Green or fill out the confidential form below.
 

RESOURCES

The following resource links have been provided thanks to the Conference of Major Superiors of Men.

Charter/Norms and Annual Reports (USCCB)

• Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and Essential Norms | Spanish
• Additional USCCB documents
• Annual Reports (religious and diocesan safeguarding data)

Conference of Major Superiors of Men

• Standards for Accreditation (2020)
• CMSM education (webinars, annual workshop, and more)

Vatican Documents

• Vatican (additional safeguarding documents in multiple languages)
• Vos estis lux mundi (2019 motu proprio)
• Sacramentorum Santitatis Tutela (2002 motu proprio)

Additional Child Protection Resources

• Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors
• Centre for Child Protection of the Pontifical Gregorian University
• Virtus (online education)
• Child Abuse Prevention Month Resources: Federal | USCCB

Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention

• Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign designed to educate the public, law enforcement, and other industry partners to recognize indicators of human trafficking, and how to appropriately respond to possible cases.
• The Polaris Project  (and Human Trafficking Hotline)
• The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (and Amber Alert)