To Make a Report

Reports can be made anonymously and confidentially – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We assure you that your concerns will be heard.

You may use either of the following two methods to submit a report:

• Submit a report online
• OR
• Dial toll-free, within the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and Canada: . Reports accepted in many languages.

After you complete your report you will be assigned a unique code called a "report key." Write down your report key and password and keep them in a safe place. After allowing time for processing, you can use your report key and password to check your report for feedback or questions.

Note:

EthicsPoint is not intended to accept reports of suspected sexual abuse by a priest, deacon, religious, lay employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Richmond. The Diocese encourages individuals who are making a report of abuse by a priest, deacon, lay employee or religious to contact law enforcement, including Child Protective Services (CPS) at 1-800-552-7096. After contacting the civil authorities’ individuals are encouraged to contact the confidential diocesan Victim’s Assistance 24 Hour Reporting Number at 1-877-887-9603.

March 28, 2020

*Note: Bishop Knestout’s letter has been updated to reflect the most recent changes to our policies within the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. It includes a newly promulgated Code of Ethical Conduct effective March 28, 2020.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

One of the great responsibilities incumbent upon me as bishop is to manage the financial resources of this local Church that have been entrusted to my care. I am most grateful for the generosity of the faithful of the diocese and thankful for their financial gifts given to this local church, so we may continue to carry out Christ’s call of us to proclaim the Gospel message and perform charitable works. High standards of professional behavior from our clergy, employees and volunteers are always expected and such expectations are outlined within the Catholic Diocese of Richmond’s Code of Ethical Conduct promulgated and effective as of March 28, 2020. This updated code is the result of extensive work and collaborative efforts from the Offices of: the Vicar General, Vicar for Clergy, Chancellor, Human Resources and Safe Environment. You can find the updated code on our website https://richmonddiocese.org

We can and should always strive to do more to safeguard the resources given to us. For this reason, we updated our Code of Ethical Conduct policy. On July 1, 2019, the Diocese of Richmond implemented EthicsPoint - a third-party reporting system which provides a hotline allowing employees, volunteers and parishioners of the diocese to submit concerns of financial, administrative or human resource matters. EthicsPoint will monitor the hotline, offered in multiple languages, through comments submitted online or by phone. Comments can be sent anonymously if desired, ensuring that each person can freely express themselves. I encourage you to use this hotline if you suspect any misuse of Church funds or unethical practices.

We must uphold the commitments we have made and the legacy we have been handed in a fair and honorable manner. This includes reviewing existing policies and procedures and revising them in order to ensure that the diocese is providing the tools and environment needed to strengthen our Church, our communities and one another.

Christian stewardship calls us to utilize the resources of the diocese with integrity. Providing such an avenue for honest, thoughtful discourse on topics that may not otherwise come to light. Such actions will be advantageous in supporting the people and institutions of the Diocese of Richmond.

It is my hope the EthicsPoint platform will continue to move our diocese toward fulfilling our promise to remain open and transparent in all we undertake.

My continued prayers are with you always.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout

Bishop of Richmond