The Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei in the United States and Canada is committed to providing a safe environment in all its activities for minors and vulnerable adults. It follows the policies and procedures issued by the Holy See for the universal Church as well as the indications given for dioceses in the United States by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, 2018; Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons, 2006) and indications given by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (Orientations for Diocesan Sexual Abuse Protocols, 2008).
Following the publication of Pope Francis’ Motu Proprio Vos estis lux mundi (2019), Opus Dei’s Prelate, Msgr. Fernando Ocariz, issued guidelines for the whole Prelature regarding all types of abuse: Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei: Guidelines for the Protection of Minors and Other Vulnerable Persons (2020). In these guidelines, he applies to the Prelature the guiding principles for the protection of minors and vulnerable persons enunciated by the Holy Father in the norms given for Vatican City on March 26, 2019.
In March 2024, the Prelate merged the regions of the United States in Canada. Up to that point, the two regions had their own, published policy and procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse based on their respective episcopal conference. In March 2025, the Vicar for the Prelature in the United States and Canada, Fr. Javier Del Castillo, approved a revised joint policy: Policy and Procedures Relating to Allegations of Abuse of Minors or Vulnerable Adults in Activities of the Prelature of Opus Dei in the United States and Canada. In the same way and at the same time, the Vicar approved for the United States and Canada a joint code of conduct for dealing with minors: The Prelature of Opus Dei in the United States and Canada: Code of Conduct for Activities Involving Minors.
To report an instance of sexual abuse of a minor by personnel of the Prelature, please contact the Prelature’s Victim Response Coordinator at 646-742-2741 or by email at safeenvironment@opusdei.org.