I was deeply saddened to hear of another allegation of past abuse by the late Wayland Brown. On behalf of the people of the Diocese of Savannah, I wish to acknowledge the pain and destruction caused by acts of abuse, and convey my sorrow for the suffering endured by abuse victims.

Please know that we willingly participate in the legal process and that we continue to work with law enforcement to do everything in our power to protect children. The Diocese entreats anyone who has been a victim of abuse by clergy, an employee or a volunteer in the Diocese of Savannah to contact local authorities and the Diocese Abuse Reporting Line at 1-888-357-5330.

We pray for the survivors of abuse, their family members, and all of those who have been wounded by abuse. May God our Father, in His great mercy and love, bring healing and hope to His children and His Church. May Jesus Christ, the Divine Physician, bind up every wound and restore us all, body and soul, to health and wholeness. And may the Holy Spirit, Counselor and Comforter, guide us in the future.

† Stephen D. Parkes, D.D.
Bishop of Savannah
September 29, 2020

Please see:

The Diocese of Savannah is committed to the protection of minors, as well as to compliance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which was adopted in 2002.

Diocese of Savannah Office of Child and Youth Protection

Bishop Hartmayer releases list of those credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors

Bishop Hartmayer’s statement on a third-party review of files