Office of Child & Youth Protection

It is to the Office of Child and Youth Protection that The Bishop of Lake Charles entrusts the welfare of children and youth.

The offices main responsibilities include: education and training designed to prevent the abuse of children by adults and older children or youth in the Diocese of Lake Charles; the background checks required of all clergy, employees, and volunteers who have direct contact with children and youth; to be the recipient of complaints regarding the abuse of children and youth in the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Lake Charles, and as a source of information and education.

The office is mandated by the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002. It is a comprehensive set of procedures for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. The Charter also includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability, and prevention of future acts of abuse.

The Charter directs action in all the following matters:

  • Creating a safe environment for children and young people;
  • Healing and reconciliation of victims and survivors;
  • Making prompt and effective response to allegations;
  • Cooperating with civil authorities;
  • Disciplining offenders;
  • Providing for means of accountability for the future to ensure the problem continues to be effectively dealt with through a national Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection and a National Review Board.

Obligation To Report

Diocesan Policy 703, Article IV: Any personnel who has actual knowledge of, or who has reasonable cause to suspect that an incident of sexual abuse of a minor has occurred (unless to do so would violate the priest/penitent relationship of the Sacrament of Penance), must follow all applicable laws for reporting and immediately report to the vicar general (cf. Diocesan Policy 704, General Standards, 4).

Diocesan Policy 704, General Standards, 4:

Take seriously every allegation of suspected abuse and/or unprofessional conduct. Always report any reasonably suspected abuse of a minor to local law enforcement or to the Louisiana Department of Child Protection Services and your chief administrative officer.

In cases of allegations of sexual abuse of minors, after reporting to local law enforcement or to the Louisiana Department of Child Protection Services, immediately report to the Vicar General of the Diocese of Lake Charles, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

  • Louisiana Department of Child Protection: 855-452-5437.
  • Vicar General: Office Hours (8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday), (337) 477-1236.

To Report Child Sexual Abuse


This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
Vicar General
1201 Ryan Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601 
337-477-1236


Rickard Newman, Director
Office of Child and Youth Protection
Victims Assistance Coordinator
1201 Ryan Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
337-439-7400

  

The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, D.D., M.A.
Bishop of Lake Charles
1201 Ryan Street 
Lake Charles, LA 70601
337-439-7400