From Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda: 

The Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting (CBAR) system became operational this morning. The Bishops of the United States approved the national reporting system following Pope Francis’ May 2019 apostolic letter, Vos estis lux mundi (“You are the light of the world”), to address the issue of sexual abuse and bishop accountability in the global Catholic Church.

CBAR is an additional resource for individuals to report allegations of sexual abuse by a bishop. It is operated by Convercent, Inc., an independent, third party entity (similar to Canvas Health, which the Archdiocese uses to receive allegations against clergy and others in the Church) that provides intake services to private institutions for reports of sensitive topics such as sexual harassment, through a secure, confidential, and professional platform. Individuals may make a report by accessing ReportBishopAbuse.org or calling (800) 276-1562. Reports are taken 24 hours a day in English and Spanish.

Reports of sexual abuse by a bishop should be reported first to law enforcement. Reports of sexual abuse or certain related misconduct (i.e., actions or omissions intended by a bishop to interfere with or avoid civil investigation of sexual abuse by clergy or members of religious orders) should also be made to one of the following:

• Attorney Tom Johnson serves as an independent ombudsman in the Archdiocese and  has been designated as the layperson to receive any reports against bishops in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota other than me (Archbishop Hebda) directly at (612) 632-3207 or via email at thomas.johnson@gpmlaw.com or
• Reports against bishops in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota other than me (Archbishop Hebda)  could also be made directly to the Archdiocese by emailing reportbishopabuse@archspm.org or calling (651) 291-4400
• Reports against me (Archbishop Hebda) should be made to Roxann Storms in the Diocese of Saint Cloud, directly at (320) 248-1563 or via email at rstorms@gw.stcdio.org
• All reports could also be made to the apostolic nuncio in Washington D.C. directly at (202) 333-7121 or via email at nuntiususa@nuntiususa.org

All are encouraged to share this information with their parish communities. Full information and additional resources may be accessed by going to archspm.org/ReportBishopAbuse. 

Please know of my gratitude for all of the efforts by so many women and men to create and maintain safe environments. It is only together through our vigilance that we will end the scourge of child abuse in our churches, schools and communities, and support those who have been harmed.

Join me in praying for those who have been harmed, their families and friends.