Bishop Accountability

On May 9, 2019, Pope Francis issued a Motu proprio, a mandate directed to the Universal Church, after a meeting held in Rome in February with bishops from around the world, including Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, then president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and archbishop of Galveston-Houston. This Motu proprio, Vos estis lux mundi, which translates You are the Light of the World, orders a response to the scourge of sexual abuse in the world, and especially in the church by her clerics.

• Click here to read Vos estis lux mundi in English.
• Click here to read Vos estis lux mundi in Spanish.

The Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service has been established to receive reports of sexual abuse and related misconduct by bishops, and to relay those reports to proper Church authorities for investigation. Where a report includes a crime, such as the sexual abuse of a minor, it will also be reported to civil authorities. Otherwise, reports will be kept confidential.

If you have any other kind of complaint about a bishop—such as parish assignments, church closings, or homily contents—please address those directly to the Archdiocese of Kansas City. Sexual abuse by a priest, deacon or a staff member or volunteer of the Church should be reported to the Office for Protection and Care. If you are the victim of sexual abuse (or any other crime), please contact local law enforcement.