StoneTurn’s first annual report credits the Diocese’s full cooperation and commitment to developing a safe culture for youth, and details further process enhancements the Diocese has agreed to implement to strengthen its procedures beyond the requirements of the AOD
An independent monitor’s first-year review of the Diocese of Brooklyn’s child-protection program found no material issues of non-compliance with the Diocese’s obligations and credited the Diocese with “consistent compliance” across key areas of oversight. The report, prepared by StoneTurn under the Assurance of Discontinuance the Diocese entered voluntarily with the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau in April 2024, concluded that the Diocese cooperated fully and in certain respects exceeded what the agreement required.
The Assurance of Discontinuance (AOD) resolved the Attorney General’s inquiry into how the Diocese responds to allegations of abuse and other misconduct involving minors and vulnerable persons. StoneTurn was selected by the Charities Bureau to serve as the independent monitor.
“We invited this oversight because protecting young people and vulnerable persons is a sacred responsibility, and accountability is part of that work,” said Bishop Robert Brennan. “We are grateful for the Monitor’s careful review and equally committed to the improvements it suggested. Safeguarding our youth is a continuing obligation, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to improving our practices and providing a safe environment.”
In its review, the Monitor concluded that the Diocese’s key oversight personnel are competent and qualified. Every clergy abuse allegation the Diocese received during the period involved historic conduct.
The Monitor noted that the Diocese is in consistent compliance with the AOD and remains receptive to opportunities to further strengthen its practices through process enhancements beyond those required by the AOD. For example, the report identified that the Diocese could strengthen its program by improving certification and completion rates for the annual Code of Conduct and compliance training. In response, the Diocese has agreed to further strengthen its processes, including by implementing enhanced oversight of compliance obligations and clearer consequences for non-compliance.
The Diocese encourages anyone who has experienced or is aware of abuse to report it to local law enforcement and to the Diocese through its Independent Reporting Line, 1-888-634-4499, or its online reporting form, available at dioceseofbrooklyn.org under “Protecting Our Children.”
In the second year of the monitorship, the Monitor will shift its focus from the design of these policies to testing their sustained effectiveness across the Diocese, including in parishes and schools.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Adriana Rodriguez
(646) 241-9805
adrodriguez@diobrook.org
John Quaglione
(718) 576-9180
jquaglione@diobrook.org
