The Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service (CBAR) was established in 2020 to receive reports of sexual abuse and related misconduct by bishops, and to relay those reports to proper church authorities for investigation. Where a report includes a crime, such as the sexual abuse of a minor, it will also be reported to civil authorities. Otherwise, reports will be kept confidential.
The CBAR website is ReportBishopAbuse.org. Reports by phone may be made at (800) 276-1562.
If you are the victim of sexual abuse (or any other crime), please contact local law enforcement.
Sexual abuse by church personnel – a priest, deacon, religious brother or sister, seminarian or any employee or volunteer of the church – should also be reported to the Diocese of Austin’s Office of Ethics and Integrity in Ministry.
If you have any other kind of complaint about a bishop — such as parish assignments, church closings or homily contents — please address those directly to the Office of the Bishop.