Safe Environment Policies
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To comply with the USCCB Charter and Norms, the Diocese of Knoxville’s Safe Environment Program requires all clergy, employees, contracted school personnel, volunteers, members of groups and organizations, over the age of 18, who work, volunteer, or participate in any capacity to complete the Diocesan Safe Environment training and have a criminal background check before they may begin employment, volunteer, or participate with ministries, groups and organizations.
In addition, the mandatory renewal training must be completed every 5 years and a new background check submitted before the 5-year expiration of prior training. The Diocese of Knoxville Safe Environment compliance training and renewal training is a condition of employment and for volunteer ministry in the Diocese of Knoxville.
Please click here to go to the Safe Environment Training page for information regarding registration, training, and compliance.
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Procedure for reporting sexual abuse
Involving a bishop:
Anyone who has actual knowledge of or reasonable cause to suspect an incident of sexual harassment, abuse, or misconduct by a bishop should report their allegation to ReportBishopAbuse.org or call (800) 276-1562. This reporting service is operated by Convercent, Inc., an independent, third-party entity that provides intake services to private institutions for reports of sensitive topics such as sexual harassment through a secure, confidential and professional platform.
Involving a priest, deacon, religious, or layperson:
Anyone who has actual knowledge of or who has reasonable cause to suspect an incident of sexual abuse should report such information to the appropriate civil authorities first, and also to the McNabb Center, a nonprofit provider of mental health, substance use, and social and victim services, which serves as the diocese’s sexual assault victim’s reporting provider, at 865-321-9080.
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Procedimiento para reportar casos de abuso sexual
Sobre un obispo:
Cualquier persona que tenga conocimiento real o una causa razonable para sospechar de un incidente de acoso sexual, abuso o mala conducta por parte de un obispo, debe reportar su denuncia a ReportBishopAbuse.org o llamar al (800) 276-1562. Este servicio para hacer denuncias es operado por Convercent, Inc., una entidad externa e independiente, que ofrece servicios de información a instituciones privadas para reportar temas delicados como el acoso sexual, a través de una plataforma segura, confidencial y profesional.
Sobre un sacerdote, diácono, religioso o laico:
Cualquier persona que tenga conocimiento real o que tenga una causa razonable para sospechar de un incidente de abuso sexual debe reportar primero tal información a las autoridades civiles apropiadas, y al Centro McNabb, nuevo coorinador de asistencia para víctimas de acoso sexual de la díocese de Knoxville, al número de teléfono para denunias 865-321-9080.
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Diocesan policies and procedures related to creating a safe environment
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Safe Environment FAQ – Frequently asked questions about the safe environment program.
Diocesan Policy and Procedures Relating to Sexual Misconduct, revised 02.28.24
Política y Procedimientos Relacionados a la Mala Conducta Sexual, revisado 02.28.24Policy for Responding to Allegations of Sexual Abuse of a Minor
Diocesan Review Board Bylaws (May 4, 2022)
Bishop Commitment Notice letter dated July 1, 2024
(en español)
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Diocesan Review Board
The Diocese of Knoxville review board functions as a confidential consultative body to the bishop. The majority of its members are lay persons not in the employ of the Diocese of Knoxville (members include law enforcement professionals, a medical doctor, and a clinical psychologist). This board is to advise the diocesan bishop in his assessment of any allegations of sexual abuse of minors and in his determination of a cleric’s suitability for ministry. The Diocesan Review Board regularly reviews diocesan policies and procedures for dealing with sexual abuse of minors. The Diocesan Review Board meets as a body at least once per year.
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List(s) of priests credibly accused of abusing minors
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