Dear Members of the St. Francis High School Community,
Fr. Ted Montemayor, Provincial of the Western Province of the Salesian Order, has
asked us to distribute the attached statement following recent news reports on clergy
sexual abuse of minors. We have been asked to distribute this in advance of a further anticipated CNN report mentioning clergy and religious, including a number of Salesian priests and brothers who had credible accusations of child sexual abuse. To be clear, none of the reports of abuse occurred with any priest or brother employed at this school or on this campus.
In the past, Catholic clergy have not responded effectively to accusations of sexual child abuse by its members. The Salesians express their heart-felt apologies to victims and their families impacted by clergy sexual abuse.
In the attached statement, Fr. Ted outlines the steps that the Salesian Order has taken
over the years to better prevent child abuse and respond to accusations.
Please know that all the staff and faculty at our school must submit to criminal background checks and yearly education in the prevention, identification and their mandated response to child abuse. This year we voluntarily added another layer of training. Each member of our staff and faculty completed a 3-hour training certified by the Diocese of Monterey, “Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training.”
The staff and faculty at St. Francis High School likewise condemn child abuse in
any form. We want our students and their families to know we are all committed
to securing and promoting the safety and well-being of all students entrusted in our
care.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time (x 204) or via email at: [email protected].
Yours in Christ,
Mr. Pat Lee
President/Principal