Protection of the Faithful
The Department for the Protection of the Faithful is committed to complying with the Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People
Mission Statement
The Department for the Protection of the Faithful consists of three offices:
Office of Child and Youth Protection
The Office of Child and Youth Protection shares in the mission of the Archdiocese of Newark to be a living sign of Jesus Christ’s presence by assisting our youth in building a relationship with God by providing a safe environment. Toward this goal, the Office will implement and ensure compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
Office of Accompaniment
The Office of Accompaniment also shares in the Archdiocesan mission of coming to offer God’s merciful and loving providence to all. We are called to search out the needs, not only of the Catholic community, but of the total community; and then to respond accordingly with open mind and generous heart. Toward this second mission, this Office will provide outreach to victims/survivors and their families and demonstrate a sincere commitment to their spiritual and emotional well-being. For victim assistance information and services, Gina Criscuolo, LCSW, the Coordinator for this Office, is the contact.
Office of Investigations
The Office of Investigations will provide external, independent investigations of allegations of impropriety, by clergy and lay employees, following the lighted path established by Pope Francis and Cardinal Tobin to resolve to “follow the path of truth wherever it may lead.”
Introducing
Empowering God’s Children
Learn about the Empowering God’s Children (EGC) program through two videos featuring Cardinal Tobin and Karen Clark, Executive Director of Protection of the Faithful. This initiative focuses on helping our youth stay safe and aware, ensuring they are protected and nurtured in faith communities. Along with the videos, we’re excited to introduce new printed materials to support this effort. Together, they offer practical insights on creating safe, supportive environments for children within the Archdiocese of Newark
Conduct Policies
The Archdiocese participated in an onsite audit on November 6-9, 2023. This audit measures our compliance with the USCCB’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. This comprehensive audit included numerous interviews with staff, rectors, priests, principals, and local safe environment coordinators, as well as detailed record reviews. The auditors determined that the Archdiocese of Newark is compliant with the mandates set forth in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
– Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. (June 22, 2024)
2019 Code of Conduct | 2019 Conducta Profesional y Ministerial |
---|---|
Normativas Suplementarias para el Clero | Supplemental Norms for Clergy |
Archdiocesan Review Board Members
Select a member’s name to read their bio
The ARB’s role is to act as a consultative body that advises the Archbishop in his assessment of allegations of sexual of minors by priests and deacons.
Msgr. David Fulton
Michael McGarrity
Filomena D’Amico
Fr. Philip Waters
Hon. Thomas P. Olivieri, Chairperson
Mathias Hagovsky
Mathias Hagovsky is a licensed psychologist whose office has been in Livingston since l977. He specializes in forensics and family law and has conducted thousands of forensic evaluations. He is a graduate of St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, Benedictine College in Kansas, Seton Hall University, and Fordham University.
Thomas P Olivieri was appointed as a Superior Court Judge in 1992, and served in the Family, Criminal and Civil Divisions until 2002, when he was named as Presiding Judge of General Equity, Hudson County. He served as the Chairperson of the Conference of General Equity Judges and is the longest serving Chancery Judge in Hudson County Superior Court history. He retired from the bench in 2012 and currently serves as Counsel to the law firm of Chasan Lamparello Mallon & Cappuzzo, PC. Judge Olivieri has a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Notre Dame and a J.D. from the University of Richmond.
Fr. Philip Waters graduated from St. Benedict’s Prep, Seton Hall University and Woodstock Theological Seminary; he was ordained in 1972. He taught and coached track at St. Benedict’s for the next fifteen years and earned a MA in English from NYU. After a three-year assignment in Kentucky, he returned to St. Benedict’s. In 1995, he was appointed Pastor of St. Mary’s Parish, a position he has held since. He is in his fourth term as Dean of Central Newark Deanery 20.
Filomena D’Amico began her career as an educator at the Academy of Our Lady of Grace in 2005. The past ten years she has served in the role of School Principal. A few accomplishments during this time included Academy status, enrollment increase, and a beautiful addition of a full science lab. Filomena received her Master’s in Educational Leadership at Saint Peter’s University and is in her second year at Fordham pursuing her PhD in Educational Policy and Supervision for Catholic School Leadership. Filomena resides in Washington Township with her husband, Joe, and two daughters, Catherine and Valentina.
Michael McGarrity has spent a career protecting others. Michael currently provides Fortune 500 businesses with tailored risk management and security services. Previously, Michael served as the Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division where he led all counterterrorism operations and investigations, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI New York Office, Director of the U.S. Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, Director of Counterterrorism at the White House National Security Council and Assistant District Attorney in the New York County District Attorney’s Office. Michael is the recipient of the Presidential Rank Leadership Award – Distinguished and Department of Justice Victim Assistance National Award.
Ordained in 1967, David Fulton is pastor emeritus of Our Lady of Victories Church, Baptistown, NJ (1988-2012) and retired associate professor of moral theology at St Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore (2006-2020). He was a member of the NJ Supreme Court’s Advisory committee on Professional Ethics (1990-2009) and served as Promoter of Justice for the Diocese of Metuchen (2002-2019). He holds doctorates in moral theology and in canon law.
Contact
Safe Environment Compliance Team
Newark, New Jersey 07104
Karen Clark
Newark, New Jersey 07104
Gina Criscuolo, LCSW
Newark, New Jersey 07104
Ralph Lilore
Newark, New Jersey 07104
Marta Nieves
Newark, New Jersey 07104
Leonarda Tineo
Newark, New Jersey 07104
Elizabeth Yagual
Newark, New Jersey 07104
Ana Zsak
Newark, New Jersey 07104
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