Diocesan Review Board

The U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, and its accompanying Essential Norms, provide for the establishment in every diocese of a diocesan review board.

Among the board’s primary responsibilities are assisting the bishop in assessing allegations of sexual abuse and determining a cleric’s suitability for ministry (Essential Norms, 4).

The review board is to be comprised of at least five Catholics of “outstanding integrity and good judgment;” at least one member should be a pastor (ibid, 5).

The majority of review board members are to be “lay persons who are not in the employ of the diocese” (ibid).

The Diocesan Review Board

Rev. Msgr. William Benwell, J.C.L., V.G.
Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia

Palma Formica, M.D.

Catherine Guercio-Hauer, M.D.
Family Practice

George W. Lutz, M.D.
Behavioral Medicine Consultants

Ronald C. Rak, J.D.
President & CEO Saint Peter's Healthcare System, Inc.

Hon. Richard S. Rebeck
Superior Court Judge, Retired

Rev. Msgr. Edward C. Puleo
Pastor, St. Elizabeth, Far Hills

Vincent Sagona