BRIDGEPORT, Friday, July 11, 2003 - In a letter to the Catholic faithful to be distributed at Masses this weekend, Bishop William E. Lori announces the appointment of two key personnel of the Safe Environments Initiative of the Diocese of Bridgeport: the Director of the Office of Safe Environments (a new Diocesan department), and the new Victims' Assistance Coordinator.

CAPTION: Marylee MacDougall (right), Chancellor of the Diocese of Bridgeport, welcomes Erin Neil, Director of the Office of Safe Environments, and Linda Michaud, Victims' Assistance Coordinator. (Photo by Pat Hennessy)

The Safe Environments Initiative, unveiled last month, embraces four projects: a newly revised Sexual Abuse Policy which is in full accordance with state and federal laws, as well as the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" and the "Essential Norms"; required background checks for all clergy, employees, and volunteers; comprehensive awareness training in the prevention of misconduct; and a new dedicated Diocesan department to oversee implementation of the above, the Office of Safe Environments.

Bishop Lori's letter (reprinted below) points out that the two new personnel appointments are the latest example of the hard work being done in the Diocese to implement the Safe Environments Initiative.

Director of the Office of Safe Environments

Effective immediately, Erin Neil, M.S.W., is the new Director of the Office of Safe Environments. A social worker, Neil, 29, has more than six years' experience working with the elderly, disabled, and mentally ill, and has interned with the Caring Connections program of Catholic Family Services. As Director of the Office of Safe Environments, Neil will bring her extensive organizational skills to bear as she oversees the full implementation of the Safe Environments program throughout the Diocese, including at the 87 Catholic parishes and 38 Catholic Schools.

"I am very impressed by the scope and scale of the Safe Environments Program of the Diocese of Bridgeport," Neil, a native of Fairfield, says. "This program will meet a great need and go a long way towards restoring trust."

Victims' Assistance Coordinator

Linda Michaud, L.C.S.W., is the new Victims' Assistance Coordinator, a position called for in the "Charter" and the "Norms." Michaud, 54, will be the first contact for new allegations and will oversee the prompt response in accordance with the Policy. A licensed clinical social worker with Catholic Family Services in Bridgeport, Michaud has 24 years' experience providing clinical counseling services to individuals and families, with extensive experience working with victims of sexual abuse. Michaud is a member of the Catholic Charities Emergency Response Team, which has been an important healing resource to parishes and schools which have been impacted by sexual abuse.

"I hope to bring my professional experience to the table in this new role," Michaud says. "I want to contribute to the healing process for victims, their families, and society in general."

Both Neil and Michaud will be based at the Catholic Center in Bridgeport.

"Erin Neil and Linda Michaud will bring dedication, seriousness, transparency, and genuine compassion to their work, which will help all of us to more aware of and responsive to sexual abuse," says Bishop Lori. "I ask you to join me in prayers for their work and our overall mission. By being in the forefront of efforts to raise awareness and create safer environments within the Church and our community as a whole, we go a long way toward restoring the confidence and trust necessary for healing to begin."

For more information on the Safe Environments Initiative, click here.