Safe Environment & Reporting
At Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, the safety, dignity, and well-being of children, youth, and vulnerable adults are a serious and ongoing responsibility.
We are committed to fostering a parish environment that is safe, accountable, and rooted in the dignity of every human person.
Our parish follows the safe environment policies and procedures of the Diocese of Knoxville and supports the broader child-protection standards established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (Diocese of Knoxville)
Safe environment is not only about compliance. It is about building a culture of vigilance, respect, prevention, and care.
The Diocese of Knoxville states that, in order to comply with the USCCB Charter and Norms, all clergy, employees, contracted school personnel, volunteers, and members of groups and organizations over the age of 18 who work, volunteer, or participate in any capacity must complete diocesan safe environment training and a criminal background check before beginning ministry or service.
The diocese also requires renewal training and a new background check every five years. (Diocese of Knoxville)
How to Report
Emergency or Immediate Danger: Call 911. (tn.gov)
Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect in Tennessee:
Tennessee Child Abuse Hotline
1-877-237-0004
Online reporting is also available through the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services secure reporting portal. (tn.gov)
Allegations involving a Priest, Deacon, Religious, or Layperson in the Diocese of Knoxville:
McNabb Center, diocesan sexual assault victim’s reporting provider:
865-321-9080 (Diocese of Knoxville)
Allegations Involving a Bishop:
ReportBishopAbuse.org
(800) 276-1562 (Diocese of Knoxville)
National Support Resource:
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-422-4453
Available 24/7 by call, text, or chat. (Childhelp)
Safe Environment Training and Screening
In accordance with diocesan policy, adults who serve in positions of trust with children or vulnerable adults must complete required safe environment training and criminal background screening through the Diocese of Knoxville’s safe environment program before they begin service. The Diocese currently administers this through CMG Connect, which includes review of diocesan policies, safe environment training, and criminal background checks. These requirements apply to clergy, employees, volunteers, and others serving in ministry roles covered by diocesan policy, and must be renewed every five years. (Diocese of Knoxville)
At Our Lady of Fatima, this expectation supports our parish commitment to careful screening, training, accountability, and responsible supervision in parish life. Safe environment practices help adults recognize warning signs, understand boundaries, and respond appropriately to concerns before harm occurs. The USCCB also emphasizes that no one has an automatic right to access children in church settings without proper screening, training, and adherence to diocesan rules and codes of conduct. (Diocese of Knoxville)
Our Commitment
Our Lady of Fatima is part of the Diocese of Knoxville and follows diocesan policies and procedures related to sexual misconduct, reporting obligations, pastoral conduct, and safe environment compliance. These diocesan policies are designed to help protect minors and vulnerable persons, support victims and survivors, and ensure proper reporting, accountability, and review. The Diocese of Knoxville also maintains a Diocesan Review Board, a confidential consultative body to the bishop that assists in the assessment of allegations involving sexual abuse of minors and regularly reviews diocesan policies and procedures. (Diocese of Knoxville)
We are also guided by the USCCB’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which calls the Church to create safe environments for children and young people, respond promptly and effectively to allegations, cooperate with civil authorities, support healing and reconciliation for victims and survivors, discipline offenders, and maintain structures of accountability. (USCCB)
Our Parish Expectations
At Our Lady of Fatima, safe environment means more than checking boxes. It means maintaining appropriate boundaries, using sound supervision practices, following diocesan policies, ensuring required training is complete, and taking concerns seriously. It also means supporting parents, children, youth, volunteers, and staff with clear processes and expectations that protect the vulnerable and promote trust.
We encourage all parishioners to remain attentive, informed, and willing to speak up. Abuse prevention depends on awareness, good judgment, and prompt reporting. The USCCB’s safe environment resources consistently emphasize that abuse is never the child’s fault, that concerning behavior and grooming patterns should be recognized early, and that concerns should be reported rather than ignored. (USCCB)
Learn More
For full diocesan policies, training requirements, reporting procedures, and safe environment documents, please visit the Diocese of Knoxville Safe Environment pages. Our parish complies with diocesan requirements and supports all applicable reporting and protection obligations under Church policy and civil law. (Diocese of Knoxville)
Reporting Abuse or Misconduct
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. The Diocese of Knoxville directs that anyone with actual knowledge of, or reasonable cause to suspect, an incident of sexual abuse should first report that information to the appropriate civil authorities. The diocese also directs individuals to report allegations involving a priest, deacon, religious, or layperson to the McNabb Center, which serves as the diocesan sexual assault victim’s reporting provider, at 865-321-9080. (Diocese of Knoxville)
If the allegation involves a bishop, the Diocese of Knoxville directs reports to
ReportBishopAbuse.org or
(800) 276-1562, the Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service operated by an independent third-party reporting platform. The USCCB likewise states that if a person believes someone is in imminent danger or if there is current abuse involving a minor, 911 should be called, and that diocesan victim assistance personnel can help victims and survivors make a formal complaint and seek support. (Diocese of Knoxville)
Tennessee Reporting Requirements
In Tennessee, reporting suspected child abuse or neglect is not limited to a small category of professionals. The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services states that everyone in Tennessee is a mandated reporter under state law. Any person who has knowledge of, or reasonable cause to suspect, child abuse or neglect must report it immediately. Reports may be made to the Tennessee Child Abuse Hotline at 1-877-237-0004 or submitted online through the state’s secure reporting portal. Tennessee also states that failure to report is a violation of the law and a Class A misdemeanor, while those who report in good faith are protected from civil and criminal liability and may remain confidential or anonymous. (tn.gov)
Because parish life includes ministry with children, youth, and families, Our Lady of Fatima expects clergy, staff, and volunteers to take these reporting duties seriously. A concern should never be dismissed simply because the facts are incomplete. When there is actual knowledge or reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect, the appropriate response is to report promptly and allow civil authorities to investigate. That expectation is consistent with both Tennessee law and diocesan policy. (tn.gov)
National and Church Resources
The Catholic Church in the United States continues to operate under the USCCB’s child-protection framework through the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and the work of the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection. The USCCB states that the Church is committed to the safety of children and young people and continues national audits and accountability measures related to implementation of the Charter. (USCCB)
For additional support, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is available 24/7 by call, text, or chat and offers crisis intervention, information, and referrals in more than 170 languages. The hotline phone number is
1-800-422-4453. While this hotline does not replace civil reporting requirements in Tennessee, it can be a valuable national support resource for those affected by abuse or seeking guidance. (Childhelp)
