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The Archdiocese of Milwaukee is committed to helping victims/survivors of sexual abuse and to protecting children. We are sorry for the pain of the victims/survivors of sexual abuse and we owe them far more than an apology. We are sorry for the pain and mistrust this issue has caused so many people. We acknowledge that all victims/survivors of sexual abuse must be found and treated with the utmost care. We want anyone who has been victimized to come forward with the confidence that they will be heard and helped, and that their abuser will be held accountable.

Reporting Sexual Abuse:

If you or someone you know was abused as a minor by church personnel and is now an adult, the Victim Assistance Coordinator is available to obtain support and make a formal complaint of abuse to the diocese. The Victim Assistance Coordinator can be reached at 414-758-2232 or petersona@archmil.org. To make a formal report outside of the archdiocese, you may contact the Healing Center at 1-414-671-4325, or call the civil authorities.

If the abused person is currently under 18 years of age (minor) please report to the civil authorities. Review the mandatory reporting responsibilities to locate the civil authorities in the 10 counties of the archdiocese.

Where to Get Help:

View the list of programs in communities around the Archdiocese of Milwaukee that provide sexual abuse awareness education and free services to sexual abuse survivors.

Restricted Diocesan Priests
Due to Substantiated Reports of Sexual Abuse of a Minor

In line with the assurances given in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, these are the names of diocesan priests of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee who have been (or would be if they were still alive) restricted from all priestly ministries, may not celebrate the sacraments publicly, or present themselves as priests in any way.

The following information specifies how the archdiocese, as a whole, addresses the issue of sexual abuse of minors by clergy.

2009 Accountability Statement to the Faithful of Southeastern Wisconsin

Dating back to 2002, the archdiocese has published an accountability report, a comprehensive overview of the archdiocese's response to sexual abuse of minors by clergy and provides information on the actions taken and progress made by the archdiocese to address the issue of clergy sexual abuse.

Five Years from Dallas - June 2007

The Office of Child & Youth Protection at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has published a series of articles demonstrating the significant strides dioceses have made instilling practices that will ensure the safety of children in the church. Read more...

USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (Dallas Charter)

In the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops outline a series of practical and pastoral steps and committed themselves to implementing them in dioceses and eparchies to make effective their goals of a safe environment within the Church for children and young people and of preventing sexual abuse of minors by clergy in the future. Read more...

Archdiocese of Milwaukee Policies, Procedures, and Protocols for Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response

This document, revised November 2006, contains the policies, procedures and protocols for sexual abuse prevention and response.

California Litigation Updates

Provides updated information on lawsuits filed by clergy sexual abuse victims/survivors against the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in California.
Updated: September 1, 2006

Compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has compiled a comprehensive listing of actions the Archdiocese of Milwaukee has taken -– past, present and future -- to comply with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, adopted by the U.S. Bishops in June 2002.

Questions and Answers Regarding the Sexual Abuse of Minors by Clergy

This 10-page PDF contains a list of questions and answers regarding the sexual abuse of minors by priests.

Sexual Abuse and the Church: How Parents and Teachers Can Help

Guidelines to assist parents, teachers and those who work with children help children with their reactions to the sexual abuse crisis.

Sexual Abuse in the Church: Tragedy and Crisis

Information on typical reactions to times of crisis, actions that help address the crisis, and how Christian hope influences how we deal with the crisis.