The ministry of the Brooklyn Oratory is founded upon the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who welcomed the little ones, healed those who had been wounded, and entrusted His disciples with the care of His people. Every person with whom our members interact and minister to has the right to be treated with dignity, respect, and genuine Christian charity. This conviction lies at the heart of everything we do.

Safeguarding is therefore not merely a legal obligation or an administrative responsibility. It is a moral and spiritual commitment rooted in our belief that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God and possesses an inherent dignity that must always be respected and protected.

The Brooklyn Oratory is committed to fostering communities in which children, young people, vulnerable adults, parishioners, employees, volunteers, and visitors are safe, welcomed, and valued. We seek to cultivate an environment in which trust is honored, healthy relationships flourish, and every member of our community can participate confidently in the life of the Church.

This commitment requires vigilance, accountability, and continual formation. Through careful screening, education, ongoing training, independent accreditation, and clear policies for responding to concerns, we strive to ensure that our ministries reflect the highest standards of pastoral care and professional responsibility.

No policy alone can guarantee safety. Rather, safeguarding is fostered by a culture in which every member of the community understands that protecting the dignity of others is a shared responsibility. We ask every member of the Brooklyn Oratory community to join us in building and sustaining that culture.

May Saint Philip Neri, whose joyful charity and pastoral wisdom continue to inspire our life together, intercede for us, so that our parishes and minisrtries may always be places where faith is nurtured, trust is strengthened, and every person encounters the compassionate love of Christ.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

The Brooklyn Oratory is committed to providing and maintaining a safe environment for every child, young person, vulnerable adult, parishioner, employee, volunteer, and visitor entrusted to our care. Safeguarding is an essential expression of our Christian mission and reflects our belief that every person deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.

This commitment extends beyond compliance with legal requirements. It is grounded in the Gospel itself. Throughout His public ministry, Jesus consistently demonstrated a special concern for those who were vulnerable, marginalized, or powerless. He welcomed children, defended those who were mistreated, and taught His disciples that true authority is always exercised in humble service to others. His example remains the model for every form of ministry within the Church.

The Brooklyn Oratory seeks to cultivate communities in which people may worship, learn, serve, and grow in faith without fear. Every member of our community should experience our parishes and ministries as places of welcome, hospitality, and trust. Creating such an environment requires more than good intentions. It requires clear expectations, appropriate supervision, responsible leadership, and a willingness to address concerns promptly and honestly whenever they arise.

To support this commitment, the Brooklyn Oratory has adopted comprehensive safeguarding policies and procedures that reflect recognized best practices in abuse prevention and pastoral ministry. These policies include careful screening of our members; clear standards of ministerial conduct; mandatory reporting requirements where applicable; and procedures for responding promptly and compassionately to allegations of misconduct.

The Brooklyn Oratory has also sought independent Praesidium Accreditation, demonstrating our commitment to maintaining safeguarding practices that meet nationally recognized standards. Accreditation is not simply an acknowledgment of policies on paper. It reflects an ongoing process of evaluation, education, accountability, and continuous improvement designed to strengthen our ability to provide a safe environment for everyone entrusted to our care.

Safeguarding is not the responsibility of a single office or individual. It belongs to the entire community. Clergy, staff, volunteers, parishioners, parents, and those who participate in our ministries all share responsibility for fostering a culture of vigilance, respect, and accountability. Together we help ensure that the Brooklyn Oratory remains a place where every person is welcomed with the compassion of Christ and where the dignity of every human person is honored.

We encourage anyone who has been abused by a member of the Brooklyn Oratory to contact the Survivor Assistance Coordinator, regardless of when the alleged abuse occurred.  We recognize that abuse of any kind causes lasting pain and damage for the abused and their families as well as the larger Catholic community.  We continue to offer compassion, prayers, and support for all survivors of abuse and strive to make sure the mistakes of the past are not repeated.

Survivor Assistance Coordinator:

Teresa Pitt Green

teresapittgreen@proton.me

(703) 660-6799