After 23 years of ensuring safe environments for youth and vulnerable people in South Jersey, Rod Herrera has retired from his role as director of the Diocese’s Office of Child and Youth Protection.
Herrera began working for the Diocese of Camden in November 2000, holding positions at Catholic Charities, as diocesan director of priest personnel, and as head of Sacred Heart Residence for retired priests in Cherry Hill.
“He was a blessing for the Diocese of Camden,” Father Jason Rocks, diocesan chancellor, said of Herrera.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Herrera – of Sacred Heart Parish in Camden – graduated from Loyola Marymount University. Receiving a master of science in religion and religious education from Fordham University, and a master of arts in social work from California State University, he worked as a social worker in pediatric oncology, and has experience in the field of hospice, including grief and bereavement. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Herrera also has been counseling clients for more than 20 years.
In his ministry in South Jersey, Herrera ensured that youth who attended the Diocese’s parishes, schools and ministries did so in a safe environment.
“Rod was very concerned about creating an environment of safety,” Father Rocks said, adding that Herrera “knew the people in the parishes, the pastors, safe environment coordinators, and helped them understand and implement the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.”
Established in 2002 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, this set of procedures addresses allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy, and includes guidance for dioceses, schools, parishes and ministries on creating a safe environment for children and youth, along with reconciliation, healing, accountability and the prevention of further abuse.
The charter was approved by the U.S. bishops in 2002 in the wake of clergy abuse scandals and investigations nationwide. The charter has been revised in 2005, 2011 and 2018.
Among Herrera’s responsibilities since taking the helm of the Diocese’s Office of Child and Youth Protection in 2004: ensuring that every adult who has regular contact with children is trained in “VIRTUS® Protecting God’s Children” and helping young people understand the warning signs of abuse and how to speak up when they feel they are not in a safe situation.
“I am forever thankful to my predecessor, Bishop Joseph Galante, for his wisdom in placing Rod in such an incredibly important position,” Bishop Dennis Sullivan said. “His work to ensure a safe environment for youth and vulnerable people within the Diocese of Camden cannot be underestimated. His determination and attention to detail is very much the reason our parishes, schools and ministries have been, and remain today, among the safest places anyone can learn, work and worship.”
His fount of wisdom and dedication to his work meant that “You could call him cold with a question, and he always knew the answer,” Father Rocks added.
Deacon Peter Traum, the Diocese’s response officer for charter compliance, praised Herrera knowing “that we should be a model Diocese for how to do things.”
First utilizing the CAP Program and later the “VIRTUS® Protecting God’s Children” program, “He made sure those working with youth in parishes, schools and ministries were background-checked and trained in compliance. He knew that nothing was as important as keeping children safe.”
“He was passionate and detail-oriented, and he was always someone I could rely and depend on,” continued Deacon Traum, who serves in Church of the Incarnation, Mantua. “He was a great colleague. He’s put himself into this as much as possible. We’re going to miss him.”
Though retired from the Diocese, Herrera plans to keep busy at his private practice and spend more time with his family – his wife of 37 years, Marie Mitarotondo; four adult children, and two (soon to be three) grandchildren.
Herrera will continue to lend his expertise in this area as a lay consultant serving on the USCCB Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People.
“It’s just been great to work for the Church,” he said. “It’s been great to be surrounded by people who share the same mission of spreading the Gospel of Jesus and to make that our priority.”
A Jesuit for six years, from 1978 to 1984, he says, “I believe that my outlook on life is still very Ignatian. Ignatius charges us to find God in all things, and I believe that I really do try and see the Lord in everything.”
Clare McNamee is currently serving as interim safe environment coordinator until a permanent replacement is found.
Jennifer Mauro, managing editor, and Peter G. Sanchez, staff writer, contributed to this report.
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